What is the main cause of microcephaly?
Microcephaly may be caused by problems with brain development or being exposed to alcohol and certain drugs, chemicals and infections in the womb. Zika virus infection during pregnancy causes microcephaly.
How many types of microcephaly are there?
Two different types of microcephaly are recognized: primary and secondary. Primary microcephaly occurs when the brain does not grow to the normal size in utero.
What physical defect is associated with microcephaly?
Microcephaly & Other Birth Defects Microcephaly is a birth defect in which a baby’s head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly. Zika virus infection during pregnancy is a cause of microcephaly.
Do babies with microcephaly grow normally?
Children with a mild case may have a small head but no other problems. Your child’s head will grow as they get older. But it will remain smaller than what’s considered normal. Some children have normal intelligence.
Can a child with microcephaly live a normal life?
There is no standard life expectancy for microcephalic babies because outcomes depend on so many factors, and the severity of the condition can range from mild to severe. Babies with mild microcephaly may still meet the same milestones like speaking, sitting and walking as a child without the disorder.
What causes a baby to be born with a small head?
Microcephaly usually is the result of a problem with brain development, which can occur in the womb (congenital) or during infancy. Microcephaly may be genetic.
Can MRI detect microcephaly?
Neuroimaging with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often the first diagnostic test in evaluating children with microcephaly. Genetic testing is becoming more common and is often the next step following neuroimaging when there is no specific evidence in the history or physical examination suggesting a diagnosis.
Can someone with microcephaly have normal intelligence?
Microcephaly in children is a rare and genetic condition. Some children with microcephaly are both with normal intelligence and have normal developmental milestones, but their heads will always be smaller than normal children for their age and sex. Even in such cases, a regular follow-up with the doctor is advised.
At what age is microcephaly diagnosed?
Early diagnosis of microcephaly can sometimes be made by fetal ultrasound. Ultrasounds have the best diagnosis possibility if they are made at the end of the second trimester, around 28 weeks, or in the third trimester of pregnancy. Often diagnosis is made at birth or at a later stage.
Can you outgrow microcephaly?
Microcephaly is a lifelong condition. There is no known cure or standard treatment for microcephaly. Because microcephaly can range from mild to severe, treatment options can range as well. Babies with mild microcephaly often don’t experience any other problems besides small head size.
Can people with microcephaly be smart?
Microcephaly is a condition where a baby’s head is much smaller than normal. It is most often present at birth (congenital). Most children with microcephaly also have a small brain and an intellectual disability. Some children with small heads have normal intelligence.
Can microcephaly be misdiagnosed?
Recently, microcephaly has usually been misdiagnosed only by ultrasound via measurement of head circumfer- ence (HC). Different literatures use different standards for diagnosis of microcephaly with head circumference.
What is the lifespan of someone with microcephaly?
The prognosis for a child who has microcephaly depends on the other medical conditions the child has. In general, life expectancy for children who have microcephaly is reduced, and the prospects of attaining normal brain function is poor.
What is it like to live with microcephaly?
Since microcephaly is a condition, rather than a single disease, the babies show a range of problems: Some can’t see, and others have frequent tantrums or seizures. And doctors can’t predict how those problems will play out later on in life.
Does microcephaly cause autism?
In the microcephaly phenotype, cognitive abilities were impaired, and seemed to be the basis for poorer adaptive skills. The developmental regression phenotype may stems from extensive neurodevelopmental insult, which results in global impairments in cognition and more severe autism symptoms.
Can you see microcephaly in ultrasound?
During pregnancy, microcephaly can sometimes be diagnosed with an ultrasound test (which creates pictures of the body). To see microcephaly during pregnancy, the ultrasound test should be done late in the 2nd trimester or early in the third trimester.
Does microcephaly cause intellectual disability?
Microcephaly is a condition where a baby’s head is much smaller than normal. It is most often present at birth (congenital). Most children with microcephaly also have a small brain and intellectual disability.
How long do babies with microcephaly live?
Is microcephaly related to autism?
Microcephaly was significantly associated with the presence of medical disorders. Results support those from recent studies suggesting a raised rate of macrocephaly in autism which, pooling published data, can be estimated to be 20%.
Can microcephaly be cured?