Microcephaly in babies. Causes and treatment
Microcephaly is a neurological disorder whereby the head of the newborn is much smaller than it should be for a baby of its size and age. Usually diagnosed at birth, since one of the tests performed on the newborn is the measurement of the head circumference. If this is equal or less than 33 centime
Microcephaly is a neurological disorder whereby the head of the newborn is much smaller than it should be for a baby of its size and age.
Usually diagnosed at birth, since one of the tests performed on the newborn is the measurement of the head circumference. If this is equal or less than 33 centimeters in a baby born at term, that is to say from the 37th week of gestation, it may suffer from microcephaly.
Causes of microcephaly in babies
Microcephaly is a malformation that usually occurs during the development of the baby inside the womb. The brain stops growing at a normal rate and this fact may be due to: I - Viral infections to which the mother was exposed as rubella, toxoplasmosis or Zika virus.
- Nutritional problems such as uncontrolled diabetes in the mother and malnutrition.- Bad habits such as alcoholism or drug abuse.
- The lack of oxygen during labor or after the birth of the baby can cause injuries in the brain and result in microcephaly.
- The premature closure of the sutures of the skull, which is the site where the growth of the skull occurs.
Symptoms of microcephaly in newborns
The most obvious symptom is the smaller head than it should, although children suffering from this disorder also suffer:
- Convulsions.
-
Balance and coordination problems.
- Psychomotor disorders. - Delay in development.
- Hyperactivity.
- Facial distortion.
- Sometimes, you also have mental retardation associated.
Treatment for microcephaly in babies
There is no treatment that cures microcephaly. It is a disease for life and there are no methods that can correct it. The treatment, therefore, focuses on improving the quality of life of children affected by microcephaly by relieving their symptoms, such as performing language, physical and occupational therapy.
If the cause of the microcephaly is the premature closure of the sutures of the skull,
sometimes a cranoestenosis practica is practiced, which consists of reopening these sutures so that the skull grows and therefore allows the brain to do so too.
