Brain Injury Terms and Definitions

NCEH
National Center for Environmental Health

Apert syndrome
Apert Syndrome is a genetic defect and falls under the broad classification of craniofacial/limb anomalies. It can be inherited from a parent who has Apert, or may be a fresh mutation. It occurs in approximately 1 per 160,000 to 200,000 live births. Apert syndrome is primarily characterized by specific malformations of the skull, midface, hands, and feet.

Gastrointestinal Birth Defect
Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula, intestinal atresia, biliary atresia

Canavan disease
Canavan disease is an inherited disorder of the central nervous system in which affected individuals cannot break down a compound called N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid (NAA). Canavan disease is one of a group of genetic disorders called the eukodystrophies.

amygdala
uh-MIG-duh-luh). A part of the brain that oversees emotions and triggers your response to danger.

BDPM
Birth Defects Monitoring Program

CBDMP
California Birth Defects Monitoring Program

NBDPN
National Birth Defects Prevention Network

Parkinson's disease
A progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the part of the brain that helps control muscle movement.

Musculoskeletal Birth Defect
Diaphragmatic hernia, gastroschisis, omphalocele, limb deficiency, craniosynostosis, bladder exstrophy, cloacal exstrophy, sacral agenesis/caudal regression.