Cerebellar hypoplasia

Overview

Cerebellar hypoplasia is a rare embryonic developmental disorder in which the cerebellum is either missing entirely or is smaller than usual. It may be genetic or occur sporadically. Cerebellar hypoplasia may be caused by thyroid abnormalities, environmental influences such as drugs and chemicals or viral infections or stroke. Cerebellar hypoplasia may be associated with other disorders including Dandy-Walker syndrome, Joubert Syndrome, spinal muscular atrophy and Walker-Warburg syndrome and CASK Gene Mutation. This disorder has also been known to be a symptom of Retinoic Acid Embryopathy/Accutane Syndrome, and Meckel syndrome.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include poor feeding, developmental delay, hypotonia, ataxia, seizures, and intellectual disability. There is also a delay in gross and fine motor abilities, poor balance, speech/language delay, sensory processing difficulties, difficulties modulating emotions, and involuntary eye movements (nystagmus). At later ages, symptoms include headache, vertigo, imbalance, and hearing impairment.

Causes

Research has shown that cerebellar hypoplasia may be genetic; or may occur sporadically.

Prognosis

The prognosis of this developmental disorder is highly based on the underlying disorder. Cerebellar hypoplasia may be progressive or static in nature. Some cerebellar hypoplasia resulting from congenital brain abnormalities/malformations are not progressive. Progressive cerebellar hypoplasia is known for having poor prognosis, but in cases where this disorder is static, prognosis is better.

Treatment

There is no standard course of treatment for cerebellar hypoplasia. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Balance rehabilitation techniques may benefit those experiencing difficulty with balance. Treatment is based on the underlying disorder and the symptom severity. Therapies include physical, occuptational, speech/language, visual, psych/ behavioral meds, special education.