Hippocampus

MY Grandson has what they call a mishaped hippocamup is the a birth defect or genetic

[Lisa Kessler, MS, CGC]

Thank you for your question.  The March of Dimes is a reliable source of information about birth defects.  According to the March of Dimes, in the US, about 1 in 33 babies are born each year with birth defects.  A birth defect is a problem with the structure, function or metabolism (body chemistry) that is present at birth and results in physical or cognitive disabilities or death.   Birth defects can be caused by either genetic and environmental factors or a combination of these factors.   However, the causes of about 70 percent of birth defects are not known.  

Without more information about your grandson, I am unable to determine the cause of the problem with his hippocampus.  It may help to discuss your questions with your grandson’s doctor or to have your grandson evaluated by a pediatric geneticist to help determine the cause and to see if there are any other problems associated with it.   A medical geneticist will perform a detailed physical exam and may order tests to identify the cause of the abnormal hippocampus.  A medical geneticist can be found through the website of the American College of Medical Genetics.