| Cephalic disorders are not necessarily caused by a | | | | occur when the cranial sutures (the fibrous joints |
| single factor, but may be influenced by hereditary | | | | that connect the bones of the skull) join |
| or genetic conditions, nutritional deficiencies, or by | | | | prematurely. Most cephalic disorders are caused |
| environmental exposures during pregnancy, such | | | | by a disturbance that occurs very early in the |
| as medication taken by the mother, maternal | | | | development of the fetal nervous system. |
| infection, or exposure to radiation (such disorders | | | | Cephalic disorders may be influenced by |
| are more common in areas of the former Soviet | | | | hereditary or genetic conditions or by |
| Union affected by nuclear waste disposal | | | | environmental exposures during pregnancy (e.g., |
| problems, such as the area around the Mayak | | | | medication taken by the mother, maternal |
| plant in Chelyabinsk, Russia.) Some cephalic | | | | infection, exposure to radiation). Some cephalic |
| disorders occur when the cranial sutures (the | | | | disorders occur when the cranial sutures (the |
| fibrous joints that connect the bones of the skull) | | | | fibrous joints that connect the bones of the skull) |
| join prematurely. Most cephalic disorders are | | | | join prematurely. |
| caused by a disturbance that occurs very early in | | | | Symptoms |
| the development of the fetal nervous system. | | | | Symptoms include delayed growth and |
| This literally means absence of the head. It is a | | | | development, slight or partial paralysis, decreased |
| much rarer condition than anencephaly. The | | | | muscle tone (hypotonia), seizures or spasms, |
| acephalic fetus is a parasitic twin attached to an | | | | macrocephaly or microcephaly, epilepsy, |
| otherwise intact fetus. The acephalic fetus has a | | | | hydrocephalus, shrinkage or shortening of |
| body but lacks a head and heart; the fetus's neck | | | | muscles, and mental retardation. Speech |
| is attached to the normal twin. The blood | | | | development may range from poor to absent. |
| circulation of the acephalic fetus is provided by | | | | Signs and symptoms of cephalic disorders vary |
| the heart of the twin. The acephalic fetus can not | | | | depending on the nature and severity of the |
| exist independently of the fetus to which it is | | | | disorders. Mild cases of cephalic disorder produce |
| attached. Similarly, acardiac fetuses lack | | | | few if any symptoms. More significant cases of |
| everything from the heart upwards. | | | | cephalic disorder may result in severe physical |
| Causes | | | | abnormalities and profound cognitive impairment. |
| Major cause of chronic, disabling disorders, and | | | | Many children with significant cephalic disorders do |
| sometimes death in infants, children, and even | | | | not live long, are miscarried or arrive stillborn. |
| adults. Cephalic disorders may be influenced by | | | | Treatments |
| hereditary or genetic conditions or by | | | | There is no definitive treatment for colpocephaly. |
| environmental exposures during pregnancy (e.g., | | | | Anticonvulsant medications can be given to |
| medication taken by the mother, maternal | | | | prevent seizures, and doctors try to prevent |
| infection, exposure to radiation). Some cephalic | | | | contractures (shrinkage or shortening of muscles). |
| disorders occur when the cranial sutures (the | | | | The prognosis for individuals with colpocephaly |
| fibrous joints that connect the bones of the skull) | | | | depends on the severity of the associated |
| join prematurely. | | | | conditions and the degree of abnormal brain |
| Cephalic disorders are not necessarily caused by a | | | | development. Some children benefit from special |
| single factor, but may be influenced by hereditary | | | | education. Treatment is only symptomatic and |
| or genetic conditions, or by environmental | | | | supportive. In some cases, anticonvulsant |
| exposures during pregnancy such as medication | | | | medications shunts, or physical therapy are |
| taken by the mother, maternal infection, or | | | | appropriate. |
| exposure to radiation. Some cephalic disorders | | | | |