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Merck Manual
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Home /
Quick Facts: Children's Health Issues /
Birth Defects of the Brain and Spinal Cord /
... /
Microcephaly /
IN THIS TOPIC

What is microcephaly?

What causes microcephaly?

What are the symptoms of microcephaly?

How can doctors tell if a baby has microcephaly?

How do doctors treat microcephaly?

OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER

Birth Defects of the Brain and Spinal Cord
Hydrocephalus
Microcephaly
Spina Bifida

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Quick Facts

Microcephaly

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Last full review/revision Apr 2019| Content last modified Apr 2019
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Topic Resources

What is microcephaly?

"Micro-" means small, and "-cephaly" refers to the head, so microcephaly is a small head.

  • A baby with microcephaly usually has a small brain, and the brain may not have formed properly

  • Microcephaly is rare

  • Microcephaly can be caused by many problems that occur in the womb, including infections, lack of oxygen, lack of proper nutrition, and birth defects of the brain

  • Doctors may find that the baby has microcephaly before birth when they do a routine ultrasound of the fetus

  • There's no cure for microcephaly, but therapy may help babies maximize their abilities

What causes microcephaly?

Causes of microcephaly include:

  • Infections in the mother during pregnancy, including rubella and Zika virus infection

  • Exposure to certain drugs or toxins before birth

  • Lack of oxygen before or during birth

  • Genetic problems, such as Down syndrome

What are the symptoms of microcephaly?

The baby has a noticeably small head. The other symptoms of microcephaly depend on how severely the brain is damaged or underdeveloped. Symptoms include:

  • Seizures

  • Developmental delays

  • Feeding problems

  • Hearing or vision problems

  • Problems with movement or balance

  • Hyperactivity 

  • Intellectual disabilities

How can doctors tell if a baby has microcephaly?

Doctors can tell if a baby has microcephaly when they do a routine ultrasound between the late 2nd and early 3rd trimester of pregnancy. If doctors suspect microcephaly once a baby is born, doctors will do:

  • MRI or CT scan of the head

  • Blood tests

How do doctors treat microcephaly?

There's no cure or standard treatment for microcephaly. Treatment may include:

  • Treating the symptoms from brain damage

  • Early intervention, which offers therapy to babies to improve their physical and mental abilities

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© 2020 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA)
Hydrocephalus
Spina Bifida
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