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What is Microcephaly?

Microcephaly is a medical condition in which the circumference of the head is smaller than normal because the brain has not developed properly or has stopped growing.

Microcephaly can be present at birth or it may develop in the first few years of life. It is most often caused by genetic abnormalities that interfere with the growth of the cerebral cortex during the early months of fetal development. It is associated with Down's syndrome, chromosomal syndromes, and neurometabolic syndromes.

Babies may also be born with microcephaly if, during pregnancy, their mother abused drugs or alcohol, became infected with a cytomegalovirus, rubella (German measles), or varicella (chicken pox) virus, was exposed to certain toxic chemicals, or had untreated phenylketonuria (PKU). This can also be caused by the mother having the Zika virus during pregnancy.

Babies born with microcephaly will have a smaller than normal head that will fail to grow as they progress through infancy. Depending on the severity of the accompanying syndrome, children with microcephaly may have mental retardation, delayed motor functions and speech, facial distortions, dwarfism or short stature, hyperactivity, seizures, difficulties with coordination and balance, and other brain or neurological abnormalities.

Some children with microcephaly will have normal intelligence and a head that will grow bigger, but they will track below the normal growth curves for head circumference.

Is there any treatment? There is no treatment for microcephaly that can return a child's head to a normal size or shape. Treatment focuses on ways to decrease the impact of the associated deformities and neurological disabilities.

Children with microcephaly and developmental delays are usually evaluated by a pediatric neurologist and followed by a medical management team. Early childhood intervention programs that involve physical, speech, and occupational therapists help to maximize abilities and minimize dysfunction. Medications are often used to control seizures, hyperactivity, and neuromuscular symptoms. Genetic counseling may help families understand the risk for microcephaly in subsequent pregnancies.

What is the prognosis? Some children will only have mild disability. Others, especially if they are otherwise growing and developing normally, will have normal intelligence and continue to develop and meet regular age-appropriate milestones.

What research is being done? The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) conducts research relating to microcephaly in its laboratories at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and supports additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. A small group of researchers studying a rare neurometabolic syndrome (3-PGDH), which causes microcephaly, have successfully used amino acid replacement therapy to reduce and prevent seizures.

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Can larvicide cause microcephaly in infants?

No, larvicide does not cause microcephaly in infants.


What is benign microcephaly of infancy?

Head circumference is a direct reflection of head growth When the growth is below norms it is classed as microcephaly. The result of microcephaly is a degree of retardation in growth. If the microcephaly is benign, the limitation is not significant in development.


How prevalent is microcephaly?

Microcephaly is a rare neurological condition and occurs worldwide. Little detailed information on the prevalence of the disorder is available. Microcephaly does not appear to be more prevalent among any race or one gender


What are the special concerns regarding patients with microcephaly?

As microcephaly is often associated with chromosomal abnormalities, the specific genetic cause for a person's microcephaly should be determined, if possible. Genetic counseling is available to help parents


Does fetus head circumference in the 2nd percentile mean microcephaly?

Microcephaly is an extremely rare condition in which the fetus's head circumference is lower then one percentile.


What are the causes of microcephaly?

Microcephaly can be caused by genetic factors, infections during pregnancy (such as Zika virus), exposure to harmful substances, or certain medical conditions.


Why did scientists make skull casts of modern individuals with microcephaly?

Scientists made skull casts of modern individuals with microcephaly to study the physical characteristics and differences in skull shape compared to normal individuals. By examining these casts, researchers can better understand the condition of microcephaly and how it affects the development of the skull. This research can also help in diagnosing and distinguishing microcephaly from other cranial abnormalities.


How does the use of pyriproxyfen relate to the development of microcephaly in infants?

Research has shown that there is no direct link between the use of pyriproxyfen and the development of microcephaly in infants. Pyriproxyfen is an insect growth regulator commonly used to control mosquito populations, but studies have not found evidence to suggest that it causes microcephaly in infants.


What are the potential causes of microcephaly in infants?

Microcephaly in infants can be caused by genetic factors, infections during pregnancy (such as Zika virus), exposure to harmful substances, or certain medical conditions.


How long do you live if you have microcephaly?

they live to be 20 or to aleast 35 if they are lucky


What are the non-genetic causes of microcephaly?

Other possible causes of microcephaly include infections during pregnancy (rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis), adverse effects of medication, and the excessive use of alcohol by the mother during pregnancy


What does the damage of microcephaly come from?

The damage from microcephaly comes because of the cramped interior of the skull. This lack of space exerts pressure on the growing brain. This causes impairment and delayed development of functions such as speech and control of muscles