Brain Injury Terms and Definitions

Central nervous system Birth Defect
Neural tube defects, hydrocephaly, holoprosencephaly, Dandy-Walker malformation

Genitourinary Birth Defect
Renal agenesis (bilateral), hypospadias (2nd or 3rd degree)

Ear Birth Defect
Anotia/microtia

hypothalamus
The part of the brain that controls body functions such as eating, sleeping and sexual behavior, maintains body temperature and chemical balance, and regulates many hormones.

NBDPN
National Birth Defects Prevention Network

aneurysm
The localized enlargement of a blood vessel, usually an artery, that forms a bulge or sac.

enkephalins
(en-KEF-uh-lins). Naturally occurring molecules in the brain. Enkephalins attach to special receptors in the brain and spinal cord to inhibit pain messages. They also affect other functions within the brain and nervous system.

SADDAN
SADDAN (severe achondroplasia with developmental delay and acanthosis nigricans) is a rare inherited disorder of bone growth characterized by skeletal, brain, and skin abnormalities.

CBDMP
California Birth Defects Monitoring Program

acetylcholine (ACH)
A chemical in the body that carries messages between the nerves and muscles; a neurotransmitter.