Early Childhood Intervention
This website is a place for families who are facing
challenges pertaining to their child's development and
growth.
It is a place to find answers and practical
suggestions. That's what Early Intervention Support is all
about.
Whether a family has a child with a challenging behavior,
a disability or developmental issue, childhood is short - it
should be savored and enjoyed.
Learn More:
Ask a Therapist
We understand developmental milestones and the challenges
of Special Needs children. We spend a great deal of time
with families understanding the inner workings of childhood
routines and interactions. Ask us about your child today!
Ask a Therapist
Holoprosencephaly
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Holoprosencephaly is a disorder caused by the failure of the
prosencephalon (the embryonic forebrain) to sufficiently divide into
the double lobes of the cerebral hemispheres.
The result is a single-lobed brain structure and severe skull and facial
defects.
Babies born with Holoprosencephaly can have normal or near-normal brain
development along with facial deformities that may affect the eyes, nose,
and upper lip.
There are Three Classifications of Holoprosencephaly
- Alobar, in which the brain has not divided at all, is usually
associated with severe facial deformities.
- Semilobar, in which the brains hemispheres have somewhat divided,
causes an intermediate form of the disorder.
- Lobar, in which there is considerable evidence of separate brain
hemispheres, is the least severe form. In some cases of Lobar
Holoprosencephaly the baby's brain may be nearly normal.
The least severe of the facial anomalies is the median cleft lip
(premaxillary agenesis). The most severe is cyclopia, an abnormality
characterized by a single eye located in the area normally occupied by the
root of the nose, and a missing nose or a proboscis (a tubular-shaped nose)
located above the eye.
The least common facial anomaly is ethmocephaly, in which a proboscis
separates closely-set eyes. Cebocephaly, another facial anomaly, is
characterized by a small, flattened nose with a single nostril situated
below incomplete or underdeveloped closely-set eyes.
What is the cause of Holoprosencephaly?
The cause is unknown.
Is there any treatment?
There is no standard course of treatment for Holoprosencephaly. Treatment
is symptomatic and supportive.
Where Can I Get More Information?
Carter Centers for Research in Holoprosencephaly
c/o Texas Scottish Rite Hospital P.O. Box 190567
2222 Welborn Street
Dallas, TX 75219-9982
Tel: 214-559-8411
Fax: 214-559-8383
E-mail hpe@tsrh.org
Website:
www.stanford.edu/group/hpe
The Arc of the United States
1010 Wayne Avenue
Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: 301-565-3842
Fax: 301-565-3843 or -5342
E-mail Info@thearc.org
Website: www.thearc.org
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 1968
(55 Kenosia Avenue)
Danbury, CT 06813-1968
Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax: 203-798-2291
E-mail orphan@rarediseases.org
Website: www.rarediseases.org
March of Dimes Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: 914-428-7100 888-MODIMES (663-4637)
Fax: 914-428-8203
E-mail askus@marchofdimes.com
Website: www.marchofdimes.com
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Learn More About Early Intervention
Therapy Options
Thankfully, there are many ways to deal with childhood developmental
delays and behaviors. These include in-home services, outpatient (you take
your child to a clinic), inpatient (following injury or surgery) and school
based services. Which type of therapy should you choose?
Visit our Therapy Options
area to learn more.
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