Congenital retarded myelinization in a new-born child with infantile spasms.

A new-born child with frequent infantile spasms was investigated. In a cachectic state it died at the age of 11 months. Biopsy of the cerebral cortex revealed a retarded myelinization; at autopsy this slight myelinization was found again. The ganglioside pattern suggested a developmental stage of approximately 3 months before birth. This is a case with a congenital failure of myelinization.