Abstract
A group of behavioural symptoms that include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. ADHD can occur in people of any intellectual ability, although it is more common in those with learning difficulties.
Congenital birth defect characterised by complete or partial absence of the structure that connects the two hemispheres of the brain – the corpus callosum – which is the largest fibre tract in the central nervous system.
Either corner of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet.
General term used to describe a group of rare inherited skin disorders that cause the skin to become very fragile.
Observable facial traits resulting from the interaction of a person’s genetic make-up with environmental factors, e.g. prenatal exposure to alcohol.
A collection of conditions, each of which includes a spectrum of severity, characterised by damage to the central nervous system and/or growth problems arising from prenatal exposure to alcohol. FAS involves some specific elements, such as facial features, most apparent in younger children.
Umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioural and/or learning disabilities with possible life-long implications.
A disorder caused by exposure of a foetus to phenytoin, a drug commonly prescribed for epilepsy.
A rare congenital disorder caused by exposure of the foetus to valproic acid during the first three months of pregnancy. Valproic acid is an anticonvulsant drug used to control certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy.
A life-long condition that causes weakness or complete paralysis of one side of the body and is caused by injury to parts of the brain that control movements of the limbs, trunk, face, etc. This can happen before, during or after birth. The condition can be congenital or acquired.
A mother with the rare genetic disease phenylketonuria (PKU) whose high blood levels of phenylalanine (phe) are dangerous to a developing foetus. High phe is a teratogen. It can damage a baby before birth.
Rare neurological condition in which an infant’s head is significantly smaller than those of other children of the same age and sex. Sometimes detected at birth, microcephaly usually results from the brain developing abnormally in the womb or not growing as it should after birth.
Myelination is the process by which a fatty layer called myelin accumulates around nerve cells (neurons). Myelin particularly forms around the long shaft, or axon, of neurons. Myelination enables nerve cells to transmit information faster and allows for more complex brain processes, so the process is vitally important to the healthy functioning of the central nervous system.
A symptom of a small number of certain neuromuscular disorders characterised by delayed relaxation (prolonged contraction) of the skeletal muscles after voluntary contraction or electrical stimulation. It causes muscle stiffness that interferes with movement.
A group of problems that occur in a newborn who was exposed to addictive opiate drugs in the mother’s womb.
Measuring the distance from the endocanthion (the point at which the inner ends of the upper and lower eyelid meet) to the exocanthion (the outer corner of the eye fissure where the eyelids meet).
Area of the upper face between the nose and the lips.