The Mississippi State University (MSU) Bulldogs joined forces with Children’s of Mississippi, the state’s only children’s hospital with statewide pediatric clinics, to honor pediatrics patients throughout Mississippi, sharing and uplifting their stories. Together, the partnership launched Kid Coach, an initiative in which one child is chosen weekly; this Kid Coach may also head to a MSU Bulldogs game! On the week of March 11, 2023, the Kid Coach was Lundyn Roberts of Jackson, MI. According to the Mississippi State Athletics website, Lundyn has an extremely rare genetic disorder called Aicardi syndrome.
Lundyn has been treated at Children’s for her entire life and her family is very grateful for the care, kindness, and support they have received. Outside of watching the Bulldogs, Lundyn enjoys listening to music and cuddling with her family.
We are so happy to see Lundyn’s story being shared—and hope that she enjoyed her time as the MSU Bulldogs’ Kid Coach!
What is Aicardi Syndrome?
As described above, Aicardi syndrome is an ultra-rare genetic neurological disorder that predominantly affects females. The exact cause is unknown. However, many doctors hypothesize that Aicardi syndrome results from a first-time gene mutation on the X chromosome. Individuals with Aicardi syndrome have agenesis of the corpus callosum (abnormal development of the structure that connects the right and left halves of the brain), seizures, and chorioretinal lacunae (small holes in the back part of the eye). It is extremely unusual—and some might say impossible—to have Aicardi syndrome without chorioretinal lacunae. In addition to these three characteristics, additional symptoms of Aicardi syndrome may include:
- Microcephaly (an abnormally small head size)
- Intellectual disability and/or developmental delay
- Hypotonia (low/poor muscle tone)
- A coloboma (a hole or gap in one of the eye structures)
- Abnormally small eyes
- Yellowish spots on the eyes
- Muscle rigidity
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- A flatter nose, larger ears, and smaller space between the nose and upper lip
- Impaired vision
- Difficulty eating
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Skeletal deformities
- Fluid-filled brain cysts
- Increased risk of serious upper respiratory tract infections
This is not an exhaustive list of symptoms or characteristics. There are no cures for Aicardi syndrome. Treatments are symptomatic and supportive.
