What is Microcephaly?
Microcephaly occurs when issues with the growth and development of the brain lead to the development of a much smaller head than the average. It is defined as any head measuring 2 standard deviations below the standard measurement.
Microcephaly, or a smaller head than the average, may be caused by exposure of the developing fetus to toxic chemicals including alcohol through the mother. Genetic syndromes, serious infections, and severe malnutrition affecting the developing fetus may also cause microcephaly.
Understanding skull-related symptoms and features
Symptoms may affect multiple parts of the body. Understanding which part of the body a symptom affects, can help us to better understand the potential underlying causes of a symptom, including a rare disease or genetic syndrome.
The skull has several crucial functions: it cradles and protects the brain, supports the face and forms the head. It is a bony structure made up of the mandible and cranium.
Symptoms affecting the skull can sometimes be seen with the naked eye, especially if they affect the shape, size, and structure of the head and face. Diagnosing a skull-related symptom may involve different tests and assessments, both subjective and objective.
What should I do next?
In some instances, microcephaly may be one of the features of a rare disease or genetic syndrome. To find out if someone with Microcephaly, may be due to a genetic syndrome, it is important to have a consultation and evaluation with a clinical genetic specialist. Specialists may also suggest specific genetic testing or other types of tests to help reach a diagnosis. FDNA’s AI technology can help speed up the diagnostic process by analyzing facial features and other health information.