Porencephaly
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What is Porencephaly?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Organizations
Related NINDS Publications and Information
What is Porencephaly?
Porencephaly is an extremely rare disorder of the central nervous system in which a cyst or cavity filled with cerebrospinal
fluid develops in the brain. It is usually the result of damage from stroke or infection after birth (the more common type),
but it can also be caused by abnormal development before birth (which is inherited and less common). Diagnosis is usually
made before an infant reaches his or her first birthday. Symptoms of porencephaly include delayed growth and development,
spastic hemiplegia (slight or incomplete paralysis), hypotonia (low muscle tone), seizures (often infantile spasms), and macrocephaly
(large head) or microcephaly (small head). Children with porencephaly may have poor or absent speech development, epilepsy,
hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluid in the brain), spastic contractures (shrinkage or shortening of the muscles), and mental
retardation.
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
March of Dimes Foundation 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains, NY 10605 askus@marchofdimes.com http://www.marchofdimes.com Tel: 914-428-7100 888-MODIMES (663-4637) Fax: 914-428-8203 |
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 1968 (55 Kenosia Avenue) Danbury, CT 06813-1968 orphan@rarediseases.org http://www.rarediseases.org Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673) Fax: 203-798-2291 |
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Last updated February 13, 2008