Increasing Number of Unusual Brain Abnormalities Seen in Rural West Virginia

Authors

Taylor R. Maddox, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow
Jessica Haas, Hoops Family Children’s Hospital at Cabell Huntington HospitalFollow
Lacey Andrews, Vanderbilt University Medical CenterFollow
Hannah Redman, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow
Balaji Govindaswami, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow
Todd H. Davies, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow

Author Credentials

Taylor R. Maddox MS Jessica Haas MSN, RN Lacey Andrews MS Hannah Redman MS Balaji Govindaswami MD, MPH Todd H. Davies PhD

Keywords

Neonate, Holoprosencephaly, Schizencephaly

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics

Abstract

The incidence rate of schizencephaly is 1.5 in 100,000 live births and the rate of holoprosencephaly is 1 in 16,000 live births. Both malformations are rare, but our institution has seen a dramatic increase in both malformations in recent years with no known cause. Schizencephaly is the most severe cortical malformation and holoprosencephaly is the most common defect in the prosencephalon during development however, it is still not very common to see a fetus with this defect live to delivery. Our institution seen four cases of schizencephaly and three cases of holoprosencephaly within two years. No two neonates seem to share a common factor. All had different co-morbidities and presentations, all mothers were different ages and showed few risk factors if any for these deformities. This paper is a report of the cases found of these rare birth defects seen at our institution in recent years.

Recommended Citation

Maddox TR, Haas J, Andrews L, Redman H, Govindaswami B, Davies TH. Increasing Number of Unusual Brain Abnormalities Seen in Rural West Virginia. Marshall J Med. 2020; 6(4): 46 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33470/2379-9536.1270.