The neonatal progeroid syndrome (Wiedemann‐Rautenstrauch) and its relationship to Pelizaeus‐Merzbacher's disease

The neuropathology of a clinically well‐documented case of the neonatal progeroid syndrome Wiedemann‐Rautenstrauch is described. The most striking feature was a nearly complete absence of mature myelin in the brain. When immunohistochemistry for myelin basic protein was applied, some subcortical nerve fibres were accompanied by immature myelin sheaths. The neuropathology corresponds exactly to that of Pelizaeus‐Merzbacher disease (Seitelberger type). Furthermore, this morphology, with the presence of myelin basic protein in the absence of mature myelin sheaths is reminiscent of the early stages of myelination in the newborn. From a brief review of the literature on Wiedcmann—Rautenstrauch syndrome, we conclude, that the neuropathology of the syndrome is heterogeneous, and that there is a relationship between the progeroid aspect and pathological myelination.