Skip to content
My WebMD Sign In, Sign Up

Children's Health

Font Size

Agenesis of Corpus Callosum

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Agenesis of Corpus Callosum is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

  • ACC
  • Corpus Callosum, Agenesis

Disorder Subdivisions

  • Autosomal Recessive Inheritance ACC (e.g. Andermann syndrome)
  • X-Linked Dominant Inheritance ACC (e.g. ARX)
  • Acquired Form of ACC
  • Aicardi Syndrome

General Discussion

Agenesis of corpus callosum (ACC) is a rare disorder that is present at birth (congenital). It is characterized by a partial or complete absence (agenesis) of an area of the brain that connects the two cerebral hemispheres. This part of the brain is normally composed of transverse fibers. The cause of agenesis of corpus callosum is usually not known, but it can be inherited as either an autosomal recessive trait or an X-linked dominant trait. It can also be caused by an infection or injury during the twelfth to the twenty-second week of pregnancy (intrauterine) leading to developmental disturbance of the fetal brain. Intrauterine exposure to alcohol (Fetal alcohol syndrome) can also result in ACC. In some cases mental retardation may result, but intelligence may be only mildly impaired and subtle psychosocial symptoms may be present.

ACC is frequently diagnosed during the first two years of life. An epileptic seizure can be the first symptom indicating that a child should be tested for a brain dysfunction. The disorder can also be without apparent symptoms in the mildest cases for many years.

Resources

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)997-4488
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

The Arc
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 301
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202)534-3700
Fax: (202)534-3731
Tel: (800)433-5255
TDD: (817)277-0553
Email: info@thearc.org
Internet: http://www.thearc.org

National Hydrocephalus Foundation
12413 Centralia Rd.
Lakewood, CA 90715-1653
USA
Tel: (562)924-6666
Fax: (562)924-6666
Tel: (888)857-3434
Email: nhf@earthlink.net
Internet: http://www.nhfonline.org

Guardians of Hydrocephalus Research Foundation
2618 Avenue Z
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Tel: (718)743-4473
Fax: (718)743-1171
Tel: (800)458-8655
Email: ghrf2618@aol.com
Internet: http://www.ghrforg.org/

Hydrocephalus Association
870 Market Street
Suite 955
San Francisco, CA 94102
USA
Tel: (415)732-7040
Fax: (415)732-7044
Tel: (888)598-3789
Email: info@hydroassoc.org
Internet: http://www.hydroassoc.org

NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
Tel: (800)352-9424
TDD: (301)468-5981
Email: me20t@nih.gov
Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

Birth Defect Research for Children, Inc.
800 Celebration Ave, Suite 225
Orlando, FL 34747
USA
Tel: (407)566-8304
Fax: (407)895-0824
Email: staff@birthdefects.org
Internet: http://www.birthdefects.org

MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay, WI 54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
Tel: (877)336-5333
Email: mums@netnet.net
Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
TDD: (888)205-3223
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/AboutGARD.aspx

National Organization for Disorders of the Corpus Callosum
PMB 363
18032-C Lemon Drive
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Tel: (714)747-0063
Fax: (714)693-0808
Email: info@nodcc.org
Internet: http://www.nodcc.org

Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Tel: (310)264-0826
Fax: (310)264-4766
Email: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
Internet: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be downloaded free from the NORD website for registered users. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational therapies (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: �8/8/2007
Copyright �1987, 1990, 2000, 2005, 2007�National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: May 16, 2012
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

Today in Children’s Health

preschool age girl sitting at desk
Article
look at my hand
Slideshow
 
woman with cleaning products
Slideshow
tissue box
Quiz
 

worried kid
fitArticle
boy on father's shoulder
Article
 
Child with red rash on cheeks
Slideshow
girl thinking
Article
 

babyapp
New
Child with adhd
Slideshow
 
rl with friends
fitSlideshow
Syringes and graph illustration
Tool
 
6-Week Challenges
Want to know more?
Eat Better Challenge - No diets here. One new healthy habit, one step at a time.
Get Up and Go Challenge - Get inspired and stay motivated.
Mood Boost Challenge - Fight the blahs, lower stress, and be happy.
I have read and agreed to WebMD's Privacy Policy.
Enter cell phone number
- -
Entering your cell phone number and pressing submit indicates you agree to receive text messages from WebMD related to this challenge. WebMD is utilizing a 3rd party vendor, CellTrust, to provide the messages. You can opt out at any time.
Standard text rates apply