Microcephaly

Also known as: small head size

What is microcephaly?

When a newborn baby or an infant's head is found to be much smaller than normal for its age, the condition is known as microcephaly.

What causes microcephaly?

Causes of microcephaly include those conditions occurring before birth (congenital) like a variety of genetic mutations, maternal problems like alcohol or drug abuse, or exposure to noxious substances or ingestion of some prescription drugs during pregnancy.

Environmental factors may also be involved; these may include infections of the baby’s brain during during pregnancy, such as the Zika virus, brain injury, lack of oxygen to the fetus, and other causes.

What are the signs/symptoms of microcephaly?

Common signs and symptoms vary widely. They may include:

poor appetite
inadequate weight gain and growth
learning disabilities
speech delays
balance and movement problems
facial deformities
vision and hearing problems
seizures
and other issues.

What are microcephaly care options?

While there is no cure for microcephaly, a variety of specialized supporting professionals including pediatric neurologists, physical, occupational, and speech therapists, plus psychological counseling may all be helpful.

Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: March 04, 2020 09:09 AM

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