Little's disease

Last reviewed 01/2018

Little's disease is a congenital stiffness of the limbs due to failure of development of the pyramidal tracts.

In this condition both legs are spastic, weak and clumsy, and are held usually in extension and adduction. The gait is the typical scissor gait due to severe spasticity.

There is lesser involvement of the arms, face and bulbar muscles. There is a delay in motor development and there is often mental retardation.

This condition may be seen as a complication in infants born prematurely.