AGENESIS OF THE CORPUS CALLOSUM

    "The corpus callosum is the structure in the brain that joins together the two cerebral hemispheres and provides a pathway from one side to the other. If a child does not have this structure, he may have seizures and mild to moderate mental retardation, as well as impaired visual and motor coordination. Sometimes children who don't have the corpus callosum are also deficient in cellular migration and proliferation, which essentially means that the brain wiring is not correct; this can be seen in a variety of chromosomal defects. Agenesis of the corpus callosum is an integral part of Aicardi syndrome, which appears to occure only in females and is characterized by severe mental retardation, generalized seizures that begin early in life, and specific abnormalities of the retina.
    The absence of the corpus callosum is diagnosed with an MRI or a CAT scan of the brain. Some individuals with this diagnosis are completely normal otherwise. However, children with many other congenital deformities of the brain are at higher risk for developing this deformity. When it is seen by an MRI or CT scan during an evaluation of a child for cerebral palsy, it suggests more underlying problems. This diagnosis by itself cannot be used to make a specific prognosis of what will happen to the child, however. Because of their brain abnormalities these children often have cerebral palsy. " (Cerebral Palsy, a complete guide for caregiving,  Freeman Miller and  Steven J. Bachrach, M.D. )
 

    Ok that is one definition. One which was written by two doctors and used allot of "doctor speak". Here is another from a medical web site  NORD - Agenesis of Corpus Callosum
 

Agenesis of Corpus Callosum (ACC) is a rare disorder that is present at birth (congenital). It is characterized by a partial or complete absence (agenesis) of an area of the brain that connects the two cerebral hemispheres. This part of the brain is normally composed of transverse fibers.
Agenesis of Corpus Callosum is usually inherited as either an autosomal recessive trait or an X-linked dominant trait. It can also be caused by an infection during the twelfth to the twenty-second week of pregnancy (intrauterine) leading to developmental disturbance of the fetal brain. In some cases mental retardation may result, but in other cases, no evident symptoms may appear and intelligence may not be impaired.

 ACC is diagnosed in approximately ninety percent of patients during the first two years of life. An epileptic seizure is usually the initial symptom indicating that a child should be tested for a brain dysfunction. The disorder can also be without apparent symptoms in the mildest cases for many years.
 

This site in no way attempts to make diagnosis's only provide information in an easily understood format.



 

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