What it means
The child first gets onto hands and knees, then straightens the legs and uses the arms to push up against the knees and thighs because the hip and thigh muscles are too weak to lift the body. It is a classic sign of Duchenne muscular dystrophydoo-SHEN MUS-kyuh-ler DIS-truh-feeAn inherited disease, mostly in boys, in which a missing muscle protein makes the muscles weaken and waste away over time.Full entry , and it can occur with other causes of weakness in the muscles near the trunk. It is named after William Gowers, a British neurologist.
For the nurse
Report it when you see it in a young child, especially a boy with frequent falls, toe walking or large calves.
At a glance
| Also written | Gower sign, Gower's sign, Gowers' sign |
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Related terms
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
An inherited disease, mostly in boys, in which a missing muscle protein makes the muscles weaken and waste away over time.