Seitelberger disease is an inherited central nervous system condition that is characterized by progressive degeneration of muscular and coordination ability. The disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. The symptoms and physical characteristics of Seitelberger disease occur due to swelling and degeneration of nerve endings (dystrophic axonal swellings) in areas of the brain and in the central and peripheral nerves. This disease may be referred to as prenatal or connatal neuroaxonal dystrophy. There is also some evidence that this disease is an infantile form of Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome.