What Is Wrong With Babies Having Small Heads

Microcephaly facts*

*Microcephaly facts medical author: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

• Microcephaly is a condition where the head (circumference) is smaller than normal.
• Microcephaly may be caused past genetic abnormalities or past drugs, alcohol, sure viruses, and toxins that are exposed to the fetus during pregnancy and harm the developing brain tissue. Unfortunately, a 2015-2016 outbreak of Zika virus in Brazil has been associated with a large number of infants born with microcephaly. Epidemiological and some viral isolations suggest that pregnant women who become Zika virus accept a high chance of fetal infection that may atomic number 82 to microcephaly, although a definitive link between Zika virus infection and microcephaly is not even so proven.
• Signs and symptoms of microcephaly may include a smaller than normal head circumference that normally remains smaller than normal as the child grows, dwarfism or short stature, delayed motor and spoken communication functions, mental retardation, seizures, facial distortions, hyperactivity, balance and coordination bug, and other brain-related or neurological problems; although some with the disorder may develop normal intelligence.
• At that place is no handling to change the caput size; programs are bachelor to help these individuals reach their maximum potential and genetic counseling may help explain the take a chance for microcephaly in future pregnancies. Women who are interested in condign pregnant are being advised by the CDC and other agencies to avert traveling to areas where Zika virus is constitute to reduce the hazard of becoming infected while pregnant.
• Research on microcephaly is ongoing; for instance, researchers plant that amino acid therapy may reduce seizure action in some patients. There is no vaccine available for Zika virus; researchers predict a vaccine will accept iii to five years to develop.

What is microcephaly?

Microcephaly is a medical condition in which the circumference of the head is smaller than normal considering the brain has not developed properly or has stopped growing. Microcephaly can exist present at nativity or information technology may develop in the first few years of life.

Zika Virus and Pregnancy

Zika Blamed for Increase in Cases of Microcephaly

Zika virus infections first arose in Brazil in May 2015. Meaning women, especially those in the outset and early on 2d trimester, in areas where the disease is prevalent should attempt to avoid any mosquito bites. Officials in Brazil are concerned since almost 4,000 babies (very unusually high number as compared to like fourth dimension periods in which simply nigh 150 babies were diagnosed with microcephaly) have been born with microcephaly since May 2015. In add-on, Dr. R. Coeli, a pediatrician in Brazil, has reported Zika viruses isolated from the amniotic fluid of ii women and one infant's encephalon and eye tissue -- results she concludes that tie the Zika virus to microcephaly development. Officials accept taken the unusual footstep to recommend women avert pregnancy until the cause of the increase in microcephaly is definitively determined.

What causes microcephaly?

Information technology is about ofttimes caused past genetic abnormalities that interfere with the growth of the cerebral cortex during the early months of fetal development. It is associated with Downwards'south 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).

Babies born with microcephaly will have a smaller than normal caput that will fail to abound as they progress through infancy.

What are microcephaly symptoms and signs?

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Depending on the severity of the accompanying syndrome, children with microcephaly may accept

• impaired cerebral development,
• delayed motor functions and speech,
• facial distortions,
• dwarfism or short stature,
• hyperactivity,
• seizures,
• difficulties with coordination and residuum, and
• other brain or neurological abnormalities.

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

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Is there any treatment for microcephaly?

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There is no handling for microcephaly that can render a kid'due south head to a normal size or shape. Treatment focuses on ways to decrease the bear upon 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 squad. Early childhood intervention programs that involve physical, speech, and occupational therapists assist to maximize abilities and minimize dysfunction. Medications are often used to control seizures, hyperactivity, and neuromuscular symptoms. Genetic counseling may help families understand the hazard for microcephaly in subsequent pregnancies.

What is the prognosis for microcephaly?

Some children will only have mild disability. Others, peculiarly if they are otherwise growing and developing usually, will accept normal intelligence and continue to develop and encounter regular age-appropriate milestones.

What research is being done on microcephaly?

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 preclude seizures.

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References

SOURCE:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health.

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Source: https://www.medicinenet.com/microcephaly/article.htm

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