What is the life expectancy of microcephaly?
There is no standard life expectancy for microcephalic babies because outcomes depend on so many factors, and the severity of the condition can range from mild to severe. Babies with mild microcephaly may still meet the same milestones like speaking, sitting and walking as a child without the disorder.
Is microcephaly a genetic disorder?
Microcephaly is an autosomal recessive gene disorder. Autosomal means that boys and girls are equally affected. Recessive means that two copies of the gene, one from each parent, are needed to have the condition. Some genetic disorders that cause microcephaly are X-linked.
Is microcephaly autosomal dominant?
Microcephaly may appear as an isolated trait or in association with other malformations. It may also be sporadic or familial. Some familial cases are autosomal dominant, but most appear to be recessive (see 251200) (summary by Merlob et al., 1988).
What disease is associated with microcephaly?
Zika virus infection during pregnancy is a cause of microcephaly. During pregnancy, a baby’s head grows because the baby’s brain grows. Microcephaly can occur because a baby’s brain has not developed properly during pregnancy or has stopped growing after birth.
Are babies with small heads less intelligent?
The head circumference of a child has essentially nothing to do with intelligence and, as long as your baby’s head is average-size and regularly growing, there’s no cause for alarm when they come in a bit behind the curve.
Does microcephaly run in families?
Microcephaly is either caused by exposure to harmful substances during the fetal development, or it may be associated with genetic problems or syndromes that may have a tendency to run in families.
Is microcephaly hereditary or environmental?
Microcephaly can be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Children with microcephaly often have developmental issues.
Do small heads run in families?
Genetic testing may help determine the causes of microcephaly. Even though a small head size may run in families, parents should still have their children screened for the other conditions.
What causes a baby’s brain not to develop?
Sometimes called “open skull,” anencephaly happens when the upper part of the neural tube doesn’t close completely during the baby’s development. The neural tube is a flat piece of tissue that grows into a tube and forms the brain and spinal cord. Without a closed tube, the brain and skull don’t develop.
What happens if a baby’s head circumference is small?
Chances are your doctor will detect microcephaly at the baby’s birth or at a regular well-baby checkup. However, if you think your baby’s head is smaller than normal or isn’t growing as it should, talk to your doctor.
What does it mean if baby’s head is measuring small?
Microcephaly is a condition where a baby’s head is much smaller than expected. During pregnancy, a baby’s head grows because the baby’s brain grows. Microcephaly can occur because a baby’s brain has not developed properly during pregnancy or has stopped growing after birth, which results in a smaller head size.
