defined:

A birth defect where the forebrain does not separate properly into two halves during early fetal life. The disorder results in mild to severe brain malformation and is sometimes fatal. It may be caused by environmental or genetic factors. Holoprosencephaly affects between 1 in 5,000 and 1 in 10,000 live births.

explained:

Listen to a detailed explanation.

Dr. Max Muenke, of the National Human Genome Research Institute's Medical Genetics Branch, defines holoprosencephaly.

related
terms:

birth defect, gene, inherited

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