adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a rare hereditary neonatal-childhood metabolic disorder that is transmitted as a recessive sex-linked trait and affects mainly males. It is characterized by adrenal atrophy and widespread cerebral demyelination, producing progressive mental deterioration, aphasia, apraxia, eventual blindness, and paralysis. In the neonate form the prognosis is poor, with death occurring usually in 1 to 5 years. The childhood form may be chronic and treatable for a few years with a special diet. Formerly called Schilder’s disease.
