HLS 22RS-2927 ORIGINAL
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 106
BY REPRESENTATIVE GAROFALO
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes May 19, 2022, as Schizencephaly
Awareness Day in Louisiana
1 A RESOLUTION
2To recognize Thursday, May 19, 2022, as Schizencephaly Awareness Day in Louisiana.
3 WHEREAS, schizencephaly is an extremely rare developmental birth defect
4characterized by abnormal slits, or clefts, in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain; and
5 WHEREAS, some babies with schizencephaly have clefts in both hemispheres of the
6brain, otherwise called bilateral clefts, and these babies commonly have developmental
7delays, delays in speech and language skills, and problems with brain-spinal cord
8communication; and
9 WHEREAS, other babies with schizencephaly have clefts in only one side of the
10body, otherwise called unilateral clefts, and these babies are often paralyzed on one side of
11the body, but may have average to near-average intelligence; and
12 WHEREAS, individuals with schizencephaly may also have an abnormally small
13head, cognitive delay and impairment, partial or complete paralysis, or poor muscle tone;
14and
15 WHEREAS, most individuals with schizencephaly will experience seizures, and
16some people with the condition may have an excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain
17called hydrocephalus; and
18 WHEREAS, the prognosis for individuals with schizencephaly varies depending on
19the size of the clefts and the extent of neurological disabilities; and
20 WHEREAS, in general, treatment for schizencephaly consists of physical therapy
21and drugs to prevent seizures; and
Page 1 of 2 HLS 22RS-2927 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 106
1 WHEREAS, in cases of schizencephaly that are complicated by hydrocephalus,
2treatment often consists of a surgically implanted tube, called a shunt, that is used to divert
3fluid to another area of the body where it can be absorbed; and
4 WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper for the House of Representatives to raise
5awareness of the need to prevent or treat developmental brain defects such as
6schizencephaly.
7 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
8Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize Thursday, May 19, 2022, as Schizencephaly
9Awareness Day in Louisiana and hereby calls upon all citizens of the state of Louisiana to
10raise awareness about schizencephaly.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 106 Original 2022 Regular Session Garofalo
Recognizes May 19, 2022, as Schizencephaly Awareness Day in La.
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