This group is intended as a support group for parents and families of children with Holoprosencephaly within Australia.
Holoprosencephaly is a disorder caused by the failure of prosencephalon (the forebrain of the embryo) to divide to form bilateral cerebral hemispheres, causing defects in the development of the face and in brain structure and function. HPE consists of a spectrum of defects or malformations of the brain and face. At the most severe end of this spectrum are cases involving serious malformations of the brain, malformations so severe that they are incompatible with life and often cause spontaneuous intrauterine death. At the other end of the spectrum are individuals with facial defects - which may affect the eyes, nose, and upper lip and normal of near normal brain development. Seizures and mental retardation may occur. Although the cause of most cases of HPE remain unknown, researchers know that approximately one-half of all cases have a chromosomal cause. Come and join other parents that have children with HPE in our Australian Support Group.