infantile paralysis

noun

, Pathology.

1. poliomyelitis.

infantile paralysis

noun

1. a former name for poliomyelitis

Word History and Origins

Origin of infantile paralysis¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Born in Saint John, Canada, Sutherland barely survived a series of childhood diseases, including infantile paralysis, rheumatoid fever and spinal meningitis.

From Seattle Times

Polio at the time was also called infantile paralysis because it seemed to infect mostly children.

From Washington Post

The virus behind the disease could infect anyone, but in the U.S., it caused the worst damage among children under five years old, and polio was consequently called infantile paralysis.

From Scientific American

The polio caused lasting effects, and she suffered from infantile paralysis when she was five, which meant she couldn't walk properly for most of her childhood.

From BBC

His illness was not the more familiar “infantile paralysis” that left victims such as President Franklin D. Roosevelt on crutches and in leg braces.

From Washington Post