Info on Schizencephaly

Schizencephaly
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Schizencephaly is a developmental birth defect. It is characterized by abnormal slits or clefts in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain. People with clefts in both hemispheres commonly have developmental delays, delays in speech and language skills, seizures, and problems with brain-spinal cord communication. Individuals with clefts in only one hemisphere are often paralyzed on one side of the body, may have seizures, and may have average to near-average intelligence. Other signs and symptoms may include an abnormally small head (microcephaly), hydrocephalus, intellectual disability, partial or complete paralysis, or poor muscle tone (hypotonia). Treatment generally consists of physical therapy and drugs to prevent seizures. In cases that are complicated by hydrocephalus, a surgically implanted tube, called a shunt, is often used to divert fluid to another area of the body where it can be absorbed.^[1]

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References

1.  NINDS Schizencephaly Information Page. NINDS. May 6, 2010 Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/schizencephaly/schizencephaly.htm. Accessed September 28, 2011.

Questions & Answers (Found 2 Questions)

A list of questions from the public on rare and/or genetic diseases that have been answered by the Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center. Click on each question to find the answer.

• How many cases of schizencephaly have been reported in Florida, and worldwide? Will my child always have develomental delay, and will this get worse with every seizure? What is the prognosis for this condition? ( Click here for answer)
• What causes this to happen? ( Click here for answer)

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More Detailed Information (Found 7 resources) Links where you can find more general information, comprehensive resources, selected full text journal articles, and news updates General  MedlinePlus provides more information on head and brain malformations. MedlinePlus is a Web site designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library has an information page on brain anomalies in general. Click on the link above to view the information page. Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. Click on the link to view this information. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) collects and disseminates research information related to neurological disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic. The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database contains genetics resources that discuss Schizencephaly. Click on the link to go to OMIM and review these resources. Orphanet is a database dedicated to information on rare diseases and orphan drugs.  Access to this database is free of charge.  Click on the link to read information on this topic. PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Schizencephaly. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.