Early-onset Hirayama disease in a female

OBJECTIVES: Hirayama disease is a rare myelopathy, occurring predominantly in males with onset in the teens. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we report a young female patient who developed the first signs of Hirayama disease at 10.5 years of age. Prior to onset, she had experienced a growth spurt and grew about 8 cm. The disease progressed over 3 years and the typical clinical, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging signs of Hirayama disease were found. After this period and achievement of her final height, no further progression was noticed. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights that pediatric neurologists should be aware of Hirayama disease, which can also occur in girls in early adolescence.