A Schizencephaly is a rare type of birth defect that results in slits or clefts in the brains cerebral hemispheres.
The clefts or slits in the brains cerebral hemispheres extend from the surface of the brain to the brains ventricles.
Schizencephaly can be unilateral meaning it only affects one side of the brain or bilateral which means that it affects both sides of the brain.
Schizecephaly can also be further classified as open lip which is when clefts are open and filled with cerebrospinal fluid or even closed lip which is when clefts are narrow with minimal or no fluid.
Unilateral schizencephaly can cause paralysis on one side of the body also known as hemiparesis and low muscle tone although some people can have an average or near average intelligence.
Bilateral schizencephaly can result in severe disabilities, which includes paralysis on both sides of the body as well as developmental delays, seizures and cognitive impairment.
Other possible symptoms of bilateral schizencephaly includes microcephaly "abnormally small head", seizures, poor muscle tone and hydrocephalus which is excess fluid in the brain.
And some people may also experience developmental delays, and most particularly in speech and also language development.
The exact cause of schizencephaly is not known although it's thought to be related to disruptions in early brain development and possibly during the second trimester of pregnancy.
Some possible causes of schizencephaly are infections, strokes, genetic mutations or even hemorrhages in the womb as well as exposure to certain medications or toxins or complications during amniocentesis.
Schizencephaly can often be diagnosed by using a fetal MRI scan and treatment for schizencephaly can vary by often involves managing of the symptoms and any complications like seizures with medication as well as physical therapy.
In cases of hydrocephalus with schizencephaly a shunt may be surgically implanted to allow for draining of excess fluid.