Treatment may include physical therapy, medication for seizure disorders, and a shunt for hydrocephalus. Many die before age 10. Another rare cephalic disorder, schizencephaly is a form of porencephaly in which the brain hemispheres are marked by abnormal slits or clefts. Individuals born with small, unilateral clefts typically display weakness on one side of the body, but may have average or near-average intelligence. Hydrocephalus also may occur.
Research strongly suggests schizencephaly results from a disruption early in fetal development.
The cause can be genetic, or it may stem from vascular injury or exposure of the mother during pregnancy to certain medications or toxins. Some studies have found evidence of defective neuronal migration. Individuals with schizencephaly may benefit from physical therapy and treatment to control seizures. Cases involving hydrocephalus may call for implantation of a shunt. Prognosis varies, depending on the size of the clefts and the extent of the patient's neurological deficits.