What May Cause Baby Circumference Head to Be Slightly Elevated

Microcephaly facts*

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

• Microcephaly is a condition where the head (circumference) is smaller than normal.
• Microcephaly may be caused by genetic abnormalities or by drugs, alcohol, sure viruses, and toxins that are exposed to the fetus during pregnancy and impairment the developing brain tissue. Unfortunately, a 2015-2016 outbreak of Zika virus in Brazil has been associated with a large number of infants built-in with microcephaly. Epidemiological and some viral isolations suggest that significant women who get Zika virus accept a high take a chance of fetal infection that may lead to microcephaly, although a definitive link between Zika virus infection and microcephaly is non yet proven.
• Signs and symptoms of microcephaly may include a smaller than normal caput circumference that usually remains smaller than normal equally the kid grows, dwarfism or short stature, delayed motor and spoken communication functions, mental retardation, seizures, facial distortions, hyperactivity, balance and coordination issues, and other brain-related or neurological problems; although some with the disorder may develop normal intelligence.
• There is no treatment to change the head size; programs are bachelor to help these individuals reach their maximum potential and genetic counseling may help explicate the chance for microcephaly in future pregnancies. Women who are interested in becoming meaning are being advised by the CDC and other agencies to avoid traveling to areas where Zika virus is found to reduce the hazard of condign infected while significant.
• Research on microcephaly is ongoing; for example, researchers found that amino acrid therapy may reduce seizure activity in some patients. There is no vaccine available for Zika virus; researchers predict a vaccine will have three to five years to develop.

What is microcephaly?

Microcephaly is a medical condition in which the circumference of the caput is smaller than normal because the brain has not adult properly or has stopped growing. Microcephaly can exist present at birth or it may develop in the kickoff few years of life.

Zika Virus and Pregnancy

Zika Blamed for Increment in Cases of Microcephaly

Zika virus infections outset arose in Brazil in May 2015. Pregnant women, especially those in the first and early on second trimester, in areas where the affliction is prevalent should endeavour to avert any mosquito bites. Officials in Brazil are concerned since most iv,000 babies (very unusually high number every bit compared to similar time periods in which only nigh 150 babies were diagnosed with microcephaly) have been born with microcephaly since May 2015. In improver, Dr. R. Coeli, a pediatrician in Brazil, has reported Zika viruses isolated from the amniotic fluid of two women and one baby's encephalon and middle tissue -- results she concludes that tie the Zika virus to microcephaly evolution. Officials have taken the unusual footstep to recommend women avoid pregnancy until the cause of the increase in microcephaly is definitively adamant.

What causes microcephaly?

Information technology is almost ofttimes caused past genetic abnormalities that interfere with the growth of the cerebral cortex during the early months of fetal development. Information technology is associated with Down'southward syndrome, chromosomal syndromes, and neurometabolic syndromes. Babies may also exist 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 sure toxic chemicals, or had untreated phenylketonuria (PKU).

Babies born with microcephaly will have a smaller than normal head that volition neglect to grow 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 take

• impaired cognitive development,
• delayed motor functions and spoken language,
• facial distortions,
• dwarfism or curt 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, only they volition rail below the normal growth curves for head circumference.

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Is in that location any treatment for microcephaly?

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At that place is no treatment for microcephaly that can render a child'due south caput to a normal size or shape. Treatment focuses on ways to subtract the impact of the associated deformities and neurological disabilities. Children with microcephaly and developmental delays are unremarkably evaluated by a pediatric neurologist and followed by a medical management team. Early on childhood intervention programs that involve physical, oral communication, 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 sympathise the risk for microcephaly in subsequent pregnancies.

What is the prognosis for microcephaly?

Some children will but take mild disability. Others, particularly if they are otherwise growing and developing normally, will accept normal intelligence and continue to develop and meet regular age-appropriate milestones.

What enquiry is beingness washed 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, take successfully used amino acid replacement therapy to reduce and prevent seizures.

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References

SOURCE:

National Found 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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