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What is microcephaly?
Microcephaly is a condition that is present at birth in which the baby’s head is much
smaller than normal for an infant of that age and gender. “Micro” means small and
cephaly refers to head. Most children with microcephaly also have a small brain and
mental retardation. However, some children with small heads have normal intelligence.
Theories suggest that the following ay predispose a fetus to problems that affect the
normal development of the head during pregnancy:
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals/substance
• Exposure to retardation
• Lack of proper vitamins and nutrients in the diet
• Infection
• Prescription or illegal drug and alcohol consumption
• Maternal diabetes
Microcephaly can occur alone or in association with other health problems, and may
occur from inheritance of an auto-somal recessive, or rarely, an auto-somal dominant
gene. Acquired microcephaly may occur after birth due to various brains injuries such as
lack of oxygen or infection.
Auto-somal recessive and auto-somal dominant are to patterns in which genes are
inherited in a family. Genes determine out traits, such as eye color and blood type, and
can also cause disease. Auto-somal means that both males and females are equally
affected. Recessive means that two copies of the gene, one inherited from each parent,
are necessary to have the condition (in this case, microcephaly). After parents have had
one child with auto-somal recessive microcephaly, there is a 25 percent chance, or one in
four chances, with each pregnancy, to have another child with microcephaly.
In many cases, microcephaly may not be evident by ultrasound until the third trimester,
and therefore may not be seen on ultrasound preformed earlier in pregnancy. The
diagnosis of microcephaly may be made at birth or later in the infancy. The baby’s head
circumference is much smaller than normal. During the physical examination, the
physician obtains a complete prenatal and birth history of the child. In older babies and
children, the physician may also risk if there are a family history of the microcephaly or
others medical problems. The physician will also ask about developmental milestones
since microcephaly can be associated with other problems, such as mental retardation.
Developmental delays may require further medical follow up for underlying problems.
A measurement of the circumference of the child’s head is taken and compared to a scale
that can identify normal and abnormal ranges.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed to confirm the diagnosis of microcephaly and
identify abnormalities in the brain include:
• Head circumference – this measurement is compared with a scale for normal
growth and size
• X-ray – a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to
produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
• Computed tomography scan (also called a CT or a CAT scan). – A diagnostic
imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to
produce cross-sectional images (often called slices), both horizontally and
vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body,
including bones, muscles, fat and organs. CT scan are more detailed than the x-
rays.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – a diagnostic procedure that uses a
combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce
detailed images of organs and structures within the body.
• Blood tests
• Urine tests
Children born with microcephaly require frequent examination and diagnostic testing by
their physician to monitor the development of the head as the child grows. The medical
team work hard with the child’s family to provide education and guidance to improve the
health and well being of the child.