Microcephaly is a condition in which your baby's head is smaller than normal for their age and size. Microcephaly occurs when your baby's brain takes longer to expand or does not fully mature. The size of your baby's skull corresponds to the size of their brain. Brain growth occurs throughout foetal development and infancy.
What are the different forms of microcephaly?
There are two kinds of microcephaly:- Primary or congenital: Your infant was born with a smaller head
- Secondary or acquired: This condition develops as your infant becomes older
What are the signs of microcephaly?
The most common sign of microcephaly is a tiny head. The size of your brain affects the size of your head.Brain growth problems may interfere with how your baby's brain operates, resulting in extra symptoms. These vary in intensity and may include:- Seizures
- Cognitive development issues
- Developmental delays (learning to talk, stand, and walk)
- Balance, mobility, and coordination problems
- Difficulties with eating or swallowing
- Hearing and/or vision loss
- Severe symptoms might be life-threatening. Some newborns exhibit no symptoms other than a tiny head
How will microcephaly affect my child's physical development?
Your child's face continues to expand as they get older, but not their skull. This might lead your kid to have a larger face than their head size. They may also experience:- A retreating brow
- A loose and wrinkled scalp
- They weigh less than is typical for their age group
What causes microcephaly?
Microcephaly may be caused by a lack of brain development and alterations in the way your child's brain develops.Some causes of microcephaly are:- Genetic mutations or an underlying genetic disease (e.g., Down syndrome)
- A shortage of oxygen in the brain (cerebral hypoxia or anoxia)
- Their skulls fused together prematurely (craniosynostosis)
- Viral illnesses include rubella, toxoplasmosis, CMV(Cytomegalovirus), and Zika virus
- Brain damage or trauma
What are the risk factors for microcephaly?
Your child may have a higher chance of having microcephaly if they were exposed to the following during foetal development:- Alcohol or drug use disorder
- Mercury or lead toxicity
- Complications of pregnancy diabetes
- Malnutrition
- Complications of metabolic disorders like phenylketonuria
- Infections
What are the complications of microcephaly?
Severe signs of microcephaly may be fatal. It is impossible to foresee how your child's atypical brain development may affect their growth, so they may need ongoing help and monitoring to avoid issues.How is microcephaly diagnosed?
Microcephaly may occasionally be diagnosed before birth using a prenatal ultrasound. This diagnosis occurs late in the second or third trimester when the foetus remains in the uterus.A diagnosis is most typically made within 24 hours after your baby's birth. A healthcare practitioner will measure your baby's head circumference (all around). Then, they'll compare your baby's measurements to age-appropriate growth benchmarks, taking into consideration both length and weight.If your child has microcephaly, a healthcare expert will identify it in infancy when symptoms appear. During a physical checkup, your baby's healthcare professional will measure his or her head circumference. They may enquire about your child's progress towards developmental milestones for their age, such as crawling or walking.What is the head circumference percentile?
A percentile is a number from 1 to 100 that represents how a person relates to others. Percentiles help healthcare practitioners diagnose certain illnesses. To be diagnosed with microcephaly, your baby's head circumference must be in the third percentile or below. A head circumference in the third percentile indicates that 3% of all newborns have a lower head size, while 97% have a greater head size.What tests are used to detect microcephaly?
If your child's healthcare practitioner suspects microcephaly, they will measure their head circumference and conduct testing to establish the reason. Tests may include:- Imaging examinations include a head ultrasound and a brain MRI
- Blood testing may reveal changes in their genetic code or underlying diseases
How is microcephaly treated?
Treatment for microcephaly focuses on symptom management and may include:- Management of any underlying medical disorders
- Developmental services to assist your kid in meeting their age-appropriate physical and learning goals
- Speech, occupational, and physical therapy
- Educational assistance programs at school
- Medications used to treat seizures
Are there any adverse effects of the treatment?
Before your child starts therapy, speak with their doctor about the potential side effects, particularly if they are beginning a new medicine. Your child's provider can show you what to watch out for.Can microcephaly be prevented?
You may lower your child's chance of microcephaly by taking care of yourself throughout the pregnancy. This may include:- Consuming a well-balanced diet
- Managing any underlying medical issues
- Avoiding harmful chemicals and substances
- Going for frequent checks to monitor the foetus's progress
- Consult your healthcare practitioner about methods to keep healthy throughout pregnancy
When should my child visit a healthcare provider?
Visit your child's healthcare practitioner if:- Miss developmental milestones appropriate for their age
- Do not reply to their name or basic requests
- Have difficulty eating or swallowing
- Do not follow you or an item with their gaze
FAQs on Microcephaly Explained: Signs, Symptoms, and Risk Factors:
- How long does a person with microcephaly live?The prognosis depends on the severity of the sickness. In other circumstances, a kid may not have difficulties and will live a normal life expectancy. More severe instances may shorten your child's life expectancy. Their risk increases if the illness impairs their brain function.
- What should I expect if my child has microcephaly?While there is no cure for microcephaly, there are treatments available to help your child manage the symptoms. Typically, providers do not know the full amount of microcephaly until your kid grows and develops. Their healthcare professional will watch them throughout infancy and youth to ensure that there are no issues.
Disclaimer: Medically approved by Dr Srinivas M, Consultant, Neurologist, SPARSH Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
