cerebellar hypolasia

[harsimran]

i m the only brother of  3 sisters all the patients of cerebellar hypoplasia.though i am normal but my mother and some of my maternal uncles and their kids further have this problem. this problem in all cases is not by birth. so i fear will this pass on to my kids though i and my wife are apparently normal.please guide me about what precautions should  we follow so that our kids remain normal in fututre?
are there any prenatal or any other kind of tests to predetermine the problem and
solve it?
please help.

[harsimran]

thanks for ur information. i will try to pursue further as u have guided.if needed will contact u again.if u could add further direct information to my questions i would b glad for it.

[Lisa Kessler, MS, CGC]

You are asking very important questions, and I hope that the following information helps.  As you may already know, cerebellar hypoplasia is a developmental disorder characterized by the incomplete or underdevelopment of the cerebellum (part of the brain).  This condition may be genetic, be caused by environmental factors (drugs and chemicals or viral infections, or stroke), or occur sporadically.  Cerebellar hypoplasia may also occur as a part of other genetic disorders.  In order to learn more information about the causes of cerebellar hypoplasia, it may help to meet with a genetic counselor who can review your family health history in detail.  Learning more about the cause of cerebellar hypoplasia in your family may help answer your questions about what tests are available and if there is any impact for your children.   You can find a genetic counselor through the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC).  

Research testing for the genes associated with cerebellar hypoplasia is also available at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital at the Walsh Laboratory.  The lab accepts calls from patients and families, and for more information about the research, please call the lab directly at [phone].