| It is a disorder that is categorized by the partial or | | | | expiration. |
| complete malfunction of the corpus callosum, a brain | | | | The neurological disorder was first diagnosed more |
| structure linking two hemispheres inside it. Aicardi | | | | than thirty years ago, when French doctor, Dr. Jean |
| syndrome often causes childhood seizure (intantile | | | | Dennis Aicardi, identified eight children who continually |
| spasms), eye abnormality or lesions of the retina, and | | | | experience infantile spasms. The doctor believed the |
| metal retardation. Aicardi Syndrome is also linked to | | | | syndrome was caused by a deficiency in the female |
| microcephaly, a brain defect; microgyria, where bumps | | | | chromosome (X). Hence, the disorder only affects |
| inside the brain tend to be narrow; or porecenphalic | | | | majority of female infants, although there is one |
| cysts, a brain condition causing fluids to fill the gaps in | | | | reported case of a baby boy diagnosed with the |
| the brain. Further studies also indicate that a few | | | | syndrome. Currently, there are about 500 reported |
| abnormalities may include a cleft lip and vertebral body | | | | cases worldwide, with only one case of siblings |
| malfunction. | | | | afflicted with the condition. Therefore it is believed that |
| It is children, between three to five months, who are | | | | the disorder is a new mutation and not all of the family |
| most often branded with Aicardi Syndrome. These | | | | members may carry the defective gene |
| children are results of normal births, but have | | | | There is currently no cure for Aicardi Syndrome. A |
| developed the abnormality as soon as they | | | | symptomatic treatment may be recommended to |
| experience brain spasms. Infantile spasms at this age | | | | manage the seizures, usually in the form of anti-seizure |
| causes neural synapses to close, thereby inhibiting the | | | | medicines. A few intervention programs to manage |
| babies' brain development. Hence, most cases have | | | | mental retardation are also administered. Physical and |
| moderate to very severe degrees of retardation. An | | | | occupational therapy may also be recommended to |
| infant afflicted with the syndrome may also | | | | aid the child in her development. The life expectancy |
| experience delays in development. They could also | | | | for an infant afflicted with Aicardi syndrome is |
| have difficulty when it comes to respiratory infections | | | | dependent on how severe the condition is. |
| like pneumonia and this could consequently cause their | | | | |