Microcephaly Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Microcephaly is a rare neurological disorder in which a baby’s head is much smaller than that of an infant of the same age and sex.
Generally, microcephaly is the result of abnormal brain development while the baby is still in the womb. Or, it can also occur because the baby’s brain does not develop after birth.
Children with microcephaly usually do not experience problems with intellectual development, even though their heads are smaller than they should be. However, in some cases, children with microcephaly may experience complications.
Complications that can occur are developmental delays so that the child’s body size is shorter than children of the same age.
In addition, children can also experience balance and coordination disorders of the limbs.
Symptom
Babies with microcephaly or small heads usually don’t have any other symptoms at birth. Symptoms will appear with age. Signs include:
- Epilepsy or seizures
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental delays such as sitting, standing, walking
- Learning disabilities
- Disorders of movement and balance
- Eating disorders such as difficulty swallowing
- Hearing disorders
- Impaired vision
In some cases, children with microcephaly can develop normally.
Reason
There are many possible causes of microcephaly. Some of them are:
- Infections during pregnancy, such as toxoplasma, Campylobacter pylori, rubella, herpes, syphilis, cytomegalovirus, HIV, and Zika
- Exposure to toxic chemicals, such as heavy metals (arsenic and mercury), alcohol, radiation and cigarettes
- Pre- or perinatal injury to the developing brain such as in an accident, trauma, hypoxia-ischemia (due to lack of oxygen)
- Genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome
- Severe malnutrition in the womb
- Craniosynostosis, which is the connection between the bony plates that make up a baby’s skull early, makes the brain not grow or stop growing
- Decreased oxygen intake to the fetal brain. Certain complications from pregnancy or childbirth can interfere with the delivery of oxygen to the baby’s brain
- Uncontrolled phenylketonuria–otherwise known as PKU–in pregnant women. PKU inhibits the mother’s ability to break down the amino acid phenylalanine and can affect fetal brain development during pregnancy
Risk Factors
Some risk factors for microcephaly include:
- Genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome
- Severe malnutrition in the womb
- Infections during pregnancy, such as toxoplasma, Campylobacter pylori, and rubella
- Pregnant women are exposed to toxic chemicals, such as arsenic, mercury and cigarettes
- Pregnant women experience pre- or perinatal injuries to the developing brain
- Craniosynostosis
- There is a decrease in oxygen intake to the fetal brain
- Uncontrolled phenylketonuria in pregnant women
Diagnosis
Usually, doctors can suspect the possibility of microcephaly when a newborn with a small head.
However, to ensure this, the doctor needs to check the head circumference 24 hours after birth. The results will be compared with WHO growth standards.
Examination of head circumference should continue to be done to monitor head and brain growth in early infancy.
In addition, the doctor will also review a thorough history of prenatal, birth, and family history and perform a physical examination. The size of the parents’ heads can also be measured to determine if a small head belongs to the family.
There is no specific test to determine if a baby will be born with a small head. However, an ultrasound examination in the third trimester of pregnancy can usually detect this abnormality.
In some cases, especially if a child’s development is delayed after birth, the doctor may order a CT scan of the head or an MRI and blood tests to help determine the cause of the delay.
Treatment
There is no treatment that can cure microcephaly. Treatment aims to support the development of children’s abilities.
Apart from surgery to correct craniosynostosis, there is generally no treatment that will enlarge your child’s head or reverse the complications of microcephaly.
Treatment focuses on ways to manage the child’s condition. Early childhood intervention programs that include speech, physical, and occupational therapy can help maximize children’s abilities.
The healthcare provider may recommend medications for certain complications of microcephaly, such as seizures or hyperactivity.
Treatment is needed from many sides. Support from the family is also very important for children with microcephaly.
Prevention
To prevent microcephaly, there are several measures that can be taken, such as:
- Maintain good nutrition during pregnancy
- Avoid exposure to chemicals that can cause microcephaly
- Check for infections that cause microcephaly during pregnancy
- Studying the history of the causes of microcephaly, to prepare for future pregnancies. If the cause is genetic, you can talk to a genetics counselor about your risk of microcephaly in future pregnancies.
Complications
Some children with microcephaly usually reach developmental milestones, although their heads will always be small for their age and sex.
However, depending on the cause and severity, complications of microcephaly can still occur, such as:
- Developmental delays, including speech and movement
- Difficulty with coordination and balance
- Dwarfism or short stature
- Facial distortion
- Hyperactive
- Intellectual delay
- seizures
When to See a Doctor?
Immediately consult a doctor if you just find out that your baby has microcephaly or there is a suspicion that your little one’s head is too small for his age.
Mothers are advised to see a pediatrician. However, in some cases, the pediatrician may refer to a pediatric neurologist.