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Holoprosencephaly

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Holoprosencephaly is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Alobar Holoprosencephaly
Holoprosencephaly Sequence
Lobar Holoprosencephaly
Semilobar Holoprosencephaly
HPE
Middle interhemispheric fusion

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is the failure of the prosencephalon (a region of the brain in the fetus that develops into parts of the adult brain), or forebrain, to develop normally. Instead of the normal completely distinct left and right halves of the forebrain, there is an abnormal continuity between the two sides. Mental retardation is associated and seizures are often present. Children with holoprosencephaly may also have defects in the development of the middle of the face such as closely set eyes (hypotelorism), tooth abnormalities (single central incisor), cleft lip/palate, and an abnormally small head (microcephaly) may occur.

Resources

Society for the Rehabilitation of the Facially Disfigured, Inc.
550 First Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212)340-5400

Independent Holoprosencephaly Support Site
Web Site on the Internet

Email: hpe@att.net
Internet: http://hpe.home.att.net

NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
31 Center Dr
Building 31, Room 2A32
MSC2425
Bethesda, MD 20892
Tel: (301)496-5133
Fax: (301)496-7101
Internet: http://www.nih.gov/hichd/

Carter Centers for Brain Research in Holoprosencephaly and Related Malformations
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
Department of Neurology
2222 Welborn Street
Dallas, TX 75219-9842
USA
Tel: 2145598411
Fax: 2145598383
Tel: 8004211121
Email: hpe@tsrh.org
Internet: http://www.stanford.edu/group/hpe

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 11/17/2008
Copyright 1991, 2000, 2008 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: November 17, 2008

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.