What are the treatments of microcephaly?
Generally there’s no treatment for microcephaly, but early intervention with supportive therapies, such as speech and occupational therapies, may help enhance your child’s development and improve quality of life.
What is the pathophysiology of microcephaly?
The pathology of congenital microcephaly is characterized by neurotropic infectious agents that involve the fetal nervous system, leading to brain destruction with calcifications, microcephaly, sensorineural hearing loss, and ophthalmologic abnormalities.
How can you prevent microcephaly?
While you’re pregnant, you can take steps to try to prevent acquired microcephaly:
- Eat a healthy diet and take prenatal vitamins.
- Don’t drink alcohol or do drugs.
- Stay away from chemicals.
- Wash your hands often, and get treated for any illness as soon as you feel sick.
- Have someone else change the litter box.
What is life expectancy for microcephaly?
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.
Can someone with microcephaly have normal intelligence?
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.
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 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.
How does microcephaly affect a child?
Microcephaly has been linked with the following problems: Seizures. Developmental delay, such as problems with speech or other developmental milestones (like sitting, standing, and walking) Intellectual disability (decreased ability to learn and function in daily life)
Who is the oldest person with microcephaly?
Paul, Minnesota, have three daughters, the oldest and youngest of whom have microcephaly. They were advised to abort when DuCharme was 16 weeks pregnant with their third daughter – doctors detected that the fetus had a smaller-than-average head and said they saw a hole in the brain.
How is microcephaly detected?
Microcephaly may be diagnosed during pregnancy with ultrasound. Microcephaly is most easily diagnosed by ultrasound late in the second trimester or early in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Can a child with microcephaly be normal?
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.
What is the main cause of microcephaly?
During pregnancy, a baby’s head grows because the baby’s brain grows. Microcephaly can occur because a baby’s brain has not developed properly during pregnancy or has stopped growing after birth, which results in a smaller head size.
Is there a cure or treatment for microcephaly?
There is no specific treatment for microcephaly. Microcephaly is a condition where a baby has a head size much smaller compared with other babies of the same age and sex. Head size is an important measurement to monitor a child’s brain growth. The severity of microcephaly ranges from mild to severe.
What are the signs and symptoms of microcephaly?
The primary sign of microcephaly is: A head size significantly smaller than that of other children of the same age and sex Head size is measured as the distance around the top of the child’s head (circumference). Using standardized growth charts, the measurement is compared with other children’s measurements in percentiles.
How does early intervention help babies with microcephaly?
Developmental services early in life will often help babies with microcephaly to improve and maximize their physical and intellectual abilities. These services, known as early intervention, can include speech, occupational, and physical therapies. Sometimes medications also are needed to treat seizures or other symptoms.
How is the head circumference measured for microcephaly?
After the Baby is Born To diagnose microcephaly after birth, a healthcare provider will measure the distance around a newborn baby’s head, also called the head circumference, during a physical exam. The provider then compares this measurement to population standards by sex and age.