Holoprosencephaly sequence

Vol. 52 No. 2, 2011

ROMANIAN JOURNAL of MORPHOLOGY and EMBRYOLOGY

Elena Coleta, Mirela Siminel, Mihaela Gheonea

Holoprosencephaly (HPE) sequence is a rare spectrum of cerebral and facial malformations resulting from incomplete division of the embryonic forebrain into distinct lateral cerebral hemisphere. Three ranges of increasing severity are described: lobar, semi-lobar and alobar HPE. A subtype of HPE called middle inter-hemispheric variant (MIHF) has been also reported. The etiology is heterogeneous: teratogens, chromosomal abnormalities and single gene mutations can be involved. Holoprosencephaly results in early morbidity and mortality with a reduced survival beyond neonatal period. The disorder is estimated to occur in 1/16 000 live births. This case report presents a male new born diagnosed with holoprosencephaly, accompanied by median cleft palate, absent nasal bones and chromosomal abnormalities.

Corresponding author: Elena Coleta, Associate Professor, MD, PhD, e-mail: coletaelena@hotmail.com

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