About Cerebellar Hypoplasia

What is it?

Cerebellar Hypoplasia is a developmental disorder characterised by the incomplete or underdevelopment of the cerebellum, which is located at the back of the brain.

What is the cause?

Research has shown that Cerebellar Hypoplasia may be genetic; or may occur sporadically.

How will people be affected?

People with this condition may be affected both physically and mentally, and as a result will not be able to live a normal life. In most cases the affected families are required to wait for each milestone in the child’s life to see what he/she can or can’t do.

Symptoms for Cerebellar Hypoplasia may include;

• Developmental delay (physically and mentally);
• Difficulty with fine motor tasks;
• Hypotonia (reduced muscle tension);
• Ataxia (incoordination, inability to coordinate muscle movements);
• Seizures;
• Mental retardation;
• Nystagmus (involuntary eye movements);
• Headache;
• Vertigo;
• Imbalance (inability to walk);
• Hearing impairment; and
• Feeding difficulties.

Is there any treatment?

Unfortunately there is no standard course of treatment for Cerebellar Hypoplasia and treatment is symptomatic and supportive.