ENROLLED
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 106
BY REPRESENTATIVE GAROFALO
A RESOLUTION
To recognize Thursday, May 19, 2022, as Schizencephaly Awareness Day in Louisiana.
WHEREAS, schizencephaly is an extremely rare developmental birth defect
characterized by abnormal slits, or clefts, in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain; and
WHEREAS, some babies with schizencephaly have clefts in both hemispheres of the
brain, otherwise called bilateral clefts, and these babies commonly have developmental
delays, delays in speech and language skills, and problems with brain-spinal cord
communication; and
WHEREAS, other babies with schizencephaly have clefts in only one side of the
body, otherwise called unilateral clefts, and these babies are often paralyzed on one side of
the body, but may have average to near-average intelligence; and
WHEREAS, individuals with schizencephaly may also have an abnormally small
head, cognitive delay and impairment, partial or complete paralysis, or poor muscle tone;
and
WHEREAS, most individuals with schizencephaly will experience seizures, and
some people with the condition may have an excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain
called hydrocephalus; and
WHEREAS, the prognosis for individuals with schizencephaly varies depending on
the size of the clefts and the extent of neurological disabilities; and
WHEREAS, in general, treatment for schizencephaly consists of physical therapy
and drugs to prevent seizures; and
WHEREAS, in cases of schizencephaly that are complicated by hydrocephalus,
treatment often consists of a surgically implanted tube, called a shunt, that is used to divert
fluid to another area of the body where it can be absorbed; and
Page 1 of 2 HR NO. 106 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper for the House of Representatives to raise
awareness of the need to prevent or treat developmental brain defects such as
schizencephaly.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize Thursday, May 19, 2022, as Schizencephaly
Awareness Day in Louisiana and hereby calls upon all citizens of the state of Louisiana to
raise awareness about schizencephaly.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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