Brain Malformations Summary Most brain malformations begin long before a baby is born. Something damages the developing nervous system or causes it to develop abnormally. Sometimes it’s a genetic problem. In other cases, exposure to certain medicines, infections, or radiation during pregnancy interferes with brain development. Parts of the brain may be missing, abnormally small or large, or not fully developed. Treatment depends upon the problem. In many cases, treatment only helps with symptoms. It may include antiseizure medicines, shunts to drain fluid from the brain, and physical therapy. There are head malformations that do not involve the brain. Craniofacial disorders are the result of abnormal growth of soft tissue and bones in the face and head. It’s common for new babies to have slightly uneven heads, but parents should watch the shape of their baby’s head for possible problems. NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Specifics About Cavernous Angioma Angioma Alliance Absence of the Septum Pellucidum National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Aicardi Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Arteriovenous Malformations and Other Vascular Lesions of the Central Nervous System National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Brainstem Cavernous Angioma Angioma Alliance CDC Concludes Zika Causes Microcephaly and Other Birth Defects Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cerebral Cavernous Malformation National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Cerebral Cavernous Malformation and Hemorrhage Angioma Alliance Colpocephaly National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Dandy-Walker Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Holoprosencephaly National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Hydranencephaly National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Lissencephaly National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Megalencephaly National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Microcephaly Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Microcephaly Information Page National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Moyamoya Disease National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Neuronal Migration Disorders National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Porencephaly National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Schizencephaly National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Septo-Optic Dysplasia National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Encyclopedia Aicardi syndrome Fontanelles – bulging Fontanelles – excessively large Fontanelles – sunken Frontal bossing Head and face reconstruction Head CT scan Head MRI Increased head circumference Metopic ridge Microcephaly Skull x-ray Sutures – ridged Sutures – separated Trisomy 13 Trisomy 18 Diagnosis and Tests Angiomia Imaging and Diagnostics, Angiography and Functional MRI Angioma Alliance Computed Tomography (CT) — Head Array Cranial Ultrasound/Head Ultrasound Array Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) — Head Array Array Brain surgery Brain surgery – discharge Children Cavernous Angioma and Children Angioma Alliance Start Here Cephalic Disorders National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Cephalic Disorders National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Arnold-Chiari Malformation National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Craniosynostoses National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Dandy-Walker Syndrome National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Nervous System Malformations National Institutes of Health Living With Cognitive Rehabilitation: Help for Attention, Memory, and Other Problems with Thinking Angioma Alliance Find an Expert Find a Neurologist American Academy of Neurology National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Treatments and Therapies Gamma-Knife Radiosurgery Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Radiosurgery Angioma Alliance Genetics Genetics Home Reference: Aicardi syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Amish lethal microcephaly National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Andermann syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: autosomal recessive primary microcephaly National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Baraitser-Winter syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: CASK-related intellectual disability National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: cerebral cavernous malformation National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Dandy-Walker malformation National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: isolated lissencephaly sequence National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: lissencephaly with cerebellar hypoplasia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Meckel syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: megalencephaly-capillary malformation syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: microcephaly-capillary malformation syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Miller-Dieker syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: nonsyndromic holoprosencephaly National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Opitz G/BBB syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Pallister-Hall syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: periventricular heterotopia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Pol III-related leukodystrophy National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: polymicrogyria National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: pontocerebellar hypoplasia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: septo-optic dysplasia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Smith-Magenis syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: trisomy 13 National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Walker-Warburg syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: X-linked lissencephaly with abnormal genitalia National Library of Medicine Journal Articles Brain Malformations Videos and Tutorials Treating Moyamoya Disease OR-Live Reference Desk Your Brain and Nervous System Nemours Foundation Latest News Zika Virus Causes Brain Defects in Babies: CDC HealthDay Study Explores Mechanism Between Zika Virus, Birth Defects HealthDay Girl with Zika Birth Defect Born At New Jersey Hospital HealthDay
