Microcephaly is a disorder of the nervous system that may cause the head to be smaller than normal and not fully developed. This condition may occur while the baby is in the mother’s womb or within the first few years of birth.
Microcephaly is a disorder of the nervous system that may cause the head to be smaller than normal and not fully developed. This condition may occur while the baby is in the mother’s womb or within the first few years of birth.
The exact cause of Microcephaly is oftenly not known. However, this may be because of genetic problem or environmental interruptions during pregnancy.
Other causes may involve:
The obvious symptom of the disease will be the size of the head. Aside from this, the child may experience the following signs and symptoms:
DIAGNOSIS
Microcephaly may be diagnosed before or after birth. An ultrasound during pregnancy may help the doctor determine whether the baby’s head is smaller than the expected size. The doctor likely will also examine the prenatal, birth and family history of the child. A physical exam usually involve measuring the circumference of your child’s head, compare it with a growth chart, and remeasure and plot the growth at future visits. Parents’ head sizes also may be measured to determine whether small heads run in the family.
In some cases, particularly if your child’s development is delayed, your doctor may request tests such as a head CT scan or MRI and blood tests to help determine the underlying cause of the delay.
TREATMENT
There is no cure for the problem in the size of the head. However, there are available treatments to help with the child’s development, behaviour and seizures as he or she grows. This may include:
Some children with Microcephaly may have other medical problems, like cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Treatment may then depend on the extent of the disorder.
PREVENTION
Microcephaly caused by genetics cannot be prevented. However, there are ways that a pregnant mother can do to prevent acquired Microcephaly. They include:
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