Microcephaly (from New Latin microcephalia, from Ancient Greek μικρός mikrós “small” and κεφαλή kephalé “head”^[2]) is a medical condition involving a shorter-than-normal head.^[3] Microcephaly may be present at birth or it may develop in the first few years of life.^[3] Since brain growth is correlated with head growth, people with this disorder often have an intellectual disability, poor motor function, poor speech, abnormal facial features, seizures and dwarfism.^[3]

The disorder is caused by a disruption to the genetic processes that form the brain early in pregnancy,^[3] though the cause is not identified in most cases.^[4] Many genetic syndromes can result in microcephaly, including chromosomal and single-gene conditions, though almost always in combination with other symptoms. Mutations that result solely in microcephaly (primary microcephaly) exist but are less common.^[5] External toxins to the embryo, such as alcohol during pregnancy or vertically transmitted infections, can also result in microcephaly.^[3] Microcephaly serves as an important neurological indication or warning sign, but no uniformity exists in its definition. It is usually defined as a head circumference (HC) more than two standard deviations below the mean for age and sex.^[6][7] Some academics advocate defining it as head circumference more than three standard deviations below the mean for the age and sex.^[8]

There is no specific treatment that returns the head size to normal.^[3] In general, life expectancy for individuals with microcephaly is reduced, and the prognosis for normal brain function is poor. Occasional cases develop normal intelligence and grow normally (apart from persistently small head circumference).^{[3][example needed]} It is reported that in the United States, microcephaly occurs in 2 to 12 babies per 10,000 births.^[4]

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