Emery-Dreifuss syndrome /em″ərē drī″fəs/ [Alan E.H. Emery, British geneticist, b. 1928; Fritz E. Dreifuss, 20th-century British physician, 1926–1997] , an X-linked recessive form of muscular dystrophy that begins in early childhood and is characterized by joint contractures and cardiac conduction disorders. Cardiac pacemakers may be necessary to control arrhythmias. Muscle wasting and weakness in the shoulders, upper arms, and the calves usually appears by 10 years of age.
