Hydranencephaly Information

 Health Conditions Neurological Disorders

Hydranencephaly is a rare condition where the brain's cerebral hemispheres are absent, and are instead replace by sacs which are filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Children born with this condition do not seem to have anything wrong with them at birth, having a common head size. Their ability to swallow, cry, and move their legs and arms may all seem fine.

Defining Hydranencephaly

Hydranencephaly is a rare condition where the brain's cerebral hemispheres are absent, and are instead replace by sacs which are filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Children born with this condition do not seem to have anything wrong with them at birth, having a common head size. Their ability to swallow, cry, and move their legs and arms may all seem fine. When a few weeks have passed, the child usually has an increase in muscle tone while becoming more irritable, and after a few months they may develop hydrocephalus and seizures. Hydrocephalus is a condition involving a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. They may become deaf, visually impaired or blind, experience paralysis, a lack of growth, or intellectual deficits.

Hydranencephaly is an extreme form of Porencephaly, which is another rare disorder marked by a cavity in the cerebral hemispheres. Hydranencephaly might be caused by either traumatic disorders which are experienced after the twelfth week of pregnancy, or vascular infections. Some children can experience abnormalities noticeable at birth to include twitching or spasming of muscles, seizures, or respiratory difficulties. Reaching a diagnosis of Hydranencephaly could take a number of months for some, simply because a child's behavior seems to be fine.

Causes of Hydranencephaly

Hydranencephaly could be caused by an infection in the blood vessels, a genetic defect, or possibly trauma which happens after the twelfth week of pregnancy. One suspected cause is exposure to carbon monoxide during pregnancy. Another potential cause may be that the fetus has experienced a stroke, or perhaps an infection due to a virus. The occurrence of Hydranencephaly is rare. One, perhaps two babies are born in the world out of every ten-thousand with it. There is nothing to indicate that persons of any particular race, or one specific gender are more susceptible to Hydranencephaly.
 
Diagnosing Hydranencephaly

A diagnosis of Hydranencephaly is made by a doctor through observation of symptoms such as a baby experiencing seizures, their muscle tone, twitching, spasming, having difficulty breathing, seeing, hearing, experiencing intellectual deficits, and lack of growth. A diagnosis may not be made for weeks or even months after the baby has been born because the child's behavior seems fine until then. Ultrasound imaging before the child is born may reveal Hydranencephaly; unfortunately there are no methods available for doctors to surgically correct the condition.

Treatment of Hydranencephaly

Medical science has not created any one single treatment for this condition at this time. As symptoms arise after the child is born, they are treated. Support is given to the baby to make the child as happy and comfortable as possible, and medications are administered to control seizures. If there is any excessive cerebrospinal fluid collecting near the child's brainstem, a doctor will surgically insert a shunt in order to redirect the fluid. A team of caregivers, from Pediatric Surgeons and Nurses, to Family Practitioners and Family Members can be involved in the care of a child with Hydranencephaly. There are community organizations available for support as well.

Hydranencephaly Prognosis

The long-term prognosis for children with Hydranencephaly is poor. Rehabilitation is not something that is recommended for children with Hydranencephaly. Physical therapy may help to maintain their muscle tone as long as possible. Positioning aids may be used, when needed, and medications administered for both seizure control and the comfort of the child. Most children with Hydranencephaly die within a year, although is possible that a child with the condition could live past the age of ten years. The current oldest known survivor was twenty years and six months old.

Support for parents of children with Hydranencephaly includes not only genetic counseling, but support groups that can teach parents and share both information and advice with them, and provide a place to share with other parents. Mothers of children with Hydranencephaly might be tested for some different viruses that doctors suspect could have something to do with the development of the condition, including Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Simplex Virus, and Toxoplasmosis. There were no clinical trials either planned, or underway in America related to Hydranencephaly as of January, 2004.

Research and Hydranencephaly

There are studies being performed which explore brain development, done by The National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The studies provide a foundation of understanding the process of how things go wrong with the brain. They present hope for ways to both prevent and treat brain disorders, to include Hydranencephaly.

Visit http://hydranencephaly.com/ for more information concerning Hydranencephaly.

By Thomas C. Weiss - Jan 23, 2009 4:05:51 PM

Link to "Hydranencephaly Information" - http://www.disabled-world.com/health/neurology/hydranencephaly.php