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Microcephaly
What is Microcephaly?
Microcephaly is a medical condition in which the circumference of the head is
smaller than normal because the brain has not developed properly or has stopped
growing. Microcephaly can be present at birth or it may develop in the
first few years of life. It is most often caused by genetic abnormalities
that interfere with the growth of the cerebral cortex during the early months of
fetal development. It is associated with Down’s syndrome, chromosomal
syndromes, and neurometabolic syndromes. Babies may also be 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 certain toxic chemicals, or had untreated
phenylketonuria (PKU). Babies born with microcephaly will have a smaller
than normal head that will fail to grow as they progress through infancy.
Depending on the severity of the accompanying syndrome, children with
microcephaly may have mental retardation, delayed motor functions and speech,
facial distortions, dwarfism or short 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, but they will track below the
normal growth curves for head circumference.
Is there any treatment?
There is no treatment for microcephaly that can return a child’s head to
a normal size or shape. Treatment focuses on ways to decrease the impact of the
associated deformities and neurological disabilities. Children with microcephaly
and developmental delays are usually evaluated by a pediatric neurologist and
followed by a medical management team. Early childhood intervention programs
that involve physical, speech, and occupational therapists help to maximize
abilities and minimize dysfunction. Medications are often used to control
seizures, hyperactivity, and neuromuscular symptoms. Genetic counseling may help
families understand the risk for microcephaly in subsequent pregnancies.
What is the prognosis?
Some children will only have mild disability. Others,
especially if they are otherwise growing and developing normally, will have
normal intelligence and continue to develop and meet regular age-appropriate
milestones.
What research is being done?
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, have successfully used amino acid replacement therapy to reduce
and prevent seizures.
Organizations
The Arc of the United States
1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Info@thearc.org
http://www.thearc.org
Tel: 301-565-3842
Fax: 301-565-3843 or -5342
Birth Defect Research for Children, Inc.
930 Woodcock Road, Suite 225
Orlando, FL 32803
staff@birthdefects.org
http://www.birthdefects.org
Tel: 407-895-0802
Fax: 407-895-0824
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
askus@marchofdimes.com
http://www.marchofdimes.com
Tel: 914-428-7100 888-MODIMES (663-4637)
Fax: 914-428-8203
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education Programs
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013-1492
nichcy@aed.org
http://www.nichcy.org
Tel: 800-695-0285
Fax: 202-884-8441
Source: National Institutes of Health; National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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