Hypoplasia

What is hypoplasia?

Hypoplasia is when something in your or your child’s body doesn’t develop completely. That can mean it doesn’t function properly, it’s not fully developed, it’s smaller than expected or there’s a lack of cell growth.

Many of hypoplasia’s effects may be visible in newborns because they affect appearance. But hypoplasia can also affect internal structures or happen at a microscopic level. And when it isn’t visible from outside, it might go unnoticed until a lab test or imaging scan detects it.

If you notice something about your child that seems different or unusual, don’t hesitate to talk to your healthcare provider. They can check for issues and tell you whether there’s any cause for concern.

How and where hypoplasia happens

Hypoplasia (pronounced “HY-poh-play-zhuh”) can happen in many places, including in your:

• Cells: Some diseases affect how certain types of cells develop.
• Tissues: Conditions can often cause specific tissues to have hypoplasia.
• Organs: Sometimes, entire organs can have hypoplasia.
• Systems: This means hypoplasia affects multiple organs or body parts.

Some examples of hypoplasia include:

• Aortic hypoplasia (hypoplastic aortic arch or aortic coarctation)
• Brain hypoplasia
• Cochlear hypoplasia
• Enamel hypoplasia
• Gallbladder hypoplasia
• Iris hypoplasia
• Facial bone hypoplasia
• Heart hypoplasia (hypoplastic left heart syndrome and hypoplastic right heart syndrome)
• Jaw hypoplasia (micrognathia)
• Kidney or bladder hypoplasia
• Limb hypoplasia (affecting arms, legs, hands or feet)
• Marrow hypoplasia
• Optic nerve hypoplasia
• Pancreas hypoplasia
• Penis or testicle hypoplasia
• Pulmonary hypoplasia
• Tubular breasts (breast hypoplasia)
• Urethral hypoplasia

What are the most common causes of hypoplasia?

Hypoplasia can happen for many reasons. Some include:

• Developmental disruptions before birth: These can affect organs, like with pulmonary hypoplasia, or tissues, like with optic nerve hypoplasia. This also includes conditions that affect multiple body parts, like Binder syndrome.
• Diseases that affect specific body processes: One example is thalassemia, which disrupts how your body makes hemoglobin and red blood cells. Viruses may also play a role.
• Exposure to environmental toxins, chemicals or radiation: These include chemicals that affect fetal development (teratogens). They can also affect body processes, like how your body makes red blood cells.
• Genetic variations and disorders: Examples include conditions like DiGeorge syndrome or Treacher Collins syndrome, among many others.
• Hormonal imbalances or disorders: Tubular breasts are one example of this. So are conditions that affect how reproductive organs (like the penis, testicles, uterus or vagina) develop.
• Treatments for diseases: Treatments that affect your bone marrow can cause hypoplasia at the cellular level. Two key examples are radiation therapy and chemotherapy. They can cause conditions like aplastic anemia (also known as hypoplastic anemia) or microcytic anemia.

There are many other possible ways that hypoplasia can happen. And sometimes, the cause is unknown. A healthcare provider is the best source of information about causes or contributing factors specific to your situation.

How is hypoplasia treated?

Some forms of hypoplasia are treatable. But treatments vary widely depending on the specific type of hypoplasia, its cause and other factors. Because so many variables can affect treatment, it’s best to talk to a healthcare provider about your specific treatment plan.

Can hypoplasia be cured?

There’s no cure for hypoplasia itself, but some forms might be treatable or reversible. Many factors can influence whether or not hypoplasia is treatable or reversible. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about your treatment options and what they can do.

Can hypoplasia be prevented?

There’s no way to prevent hypoplasia. Most forms of it happen unpredictably or for reasons experts don’t fully understand. You might be able to reduce the risk of your baby having some forms of hypoplasia with proper nutrition during pregnancy. One way to do that is to take prenatal vitamins with folate.

But even if you do everything right, hypoplasia can still happen. And it may not be possible to determine how or why it happened. So, it’s important not to blame yourself if your baby does have some form of hypoplasia. And if you need reassurance about that, talk to your or your baby’s healthcare provider. They can reassure you and offer more details about your case.

When should hypoplasia be treated by a doctor or healthcare provider?

Hypoplasia isn’t something you can self-diagnose or self-treat. Healthcare providers are likely to notice certain forms or effects of hypoplasia at birth. And your baby’s pediatrician might notice signs of it during a baby’s regular wellness visits. But if you have any questions about your baby’s health or development, their pediatrician is the best person to talk to.