Microcephaly

What are the signs and symptoms of microcephaly? 

Sometimes, microcephaly causes no obvious signs or symptoms other than a smaller head. Other potential signs include:

• A face that appears large compared to head size
• Forehead recession
• Loose, wrinkled skin on the scalp
• Short stature

Symptoms of microcephaly may include:

• Balance or coordination problems
• Developmental delays
• Difficulty swallowing or feeding
• Intellectual disabilities
• Seizures
• Vision or hearing loss

How do we diagnose microcephaly? 

Doctors diagnose microcephaly by measuring the circumference (entire way around) of a baby’s head. Then they compare the measurement with a growth chart.

Doctors may perform this measurement with different methods, depending on the baby’s age:

• Before birth, with fetal ultrasound during the second or third trimester.
• In the first 24 hours after birth, by measuring the baby’s head using a tape measure
• During infancy, when a pediatrician measures the infant’s head or tracks developmental milestones

Children may also have tests that evaluate the cause of microcephaly, including:

• Blood tests to look for genetic changes or infections
• Imaging tests, such as a brain MRI or CT scan, to look for changes in brain development

How do we treat microcephaly? 

Microcephaly treatment depends on which symptoms your child experiences and how severe they are. There are no treatments for microcephaly before birth. But making the diagnosis early can help guide monitoring during pregnancy and care after birth. 

Kids with mild microcephaly may not need any treatment beyond routine exams to check their development and growth.

In more severe cases, children may need treatments such as:

• Educational support, such as an individualized education program (IEP), to help them thrive in school
• Helmet therapy or surgery to treat craniosynostosis, if needed
• Medications to control seizures
• Physical, occupational or speech therapy to help maximize brain function

Microcephaly is a lifelong condition that may require lifelong care. At Children’s Hospital Colorado, your child has access to all the care they may need. From expert pediatric rehabilitation services to renowned neurology and neurosurgery care, our team of pediatric specialists is here to support your child’s growth and development.    

Why choose Children’s Colorado for microcephaly care? 

Specialists in our Colorado Fetal Care Center work closely with you as we perform thorough evaluations and provide focused counseling. Whether you learn your child has microcephaly before they are born or shortly after birth, you can feel confident that our team will provide the best care possible. We work often with renowned experts in our Neuroscience Institute to care for babies with microcephaly. We offer:

• Coordinated care: Our full team of children’s specialists care for babies who have microcephaly. During your first visit to our fetal care center, you’ll meet every specialist your family needs. Fetal and pediatric surgeons, neonatologists, geneticists, psychologists, neurologists and more are here to help explain the diagnosis, answer questions and recommend treatment options.
• Supportive environment: We designed our Center so that parents and babies can stay close, even if your baby needs immediate care at birth. You’ll be able to visit your newborn and actively participate in their care and recovery. For babies who need more advanced care, our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) treats more babies than almost any NICU in the country, with outcomes that rank above the national average.
• Expert treatment: Physicians nationwide send patients with the most complex fetal diagnoses to our Colorado Fetal Care Center. Our expertise and experience in fetal care is nearly unmatched, and our outcomes show that. If your child has a severe or complex case of microcephaly, our specialists have the technology, experience and skills to provide the most advanced care.

Contact us

Learn more about the Colorado Fetal Care Center or call 720-777-4463.

Helpful microcephaly resources

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers additional details about microcephaly, including how doctors use growth charts to diagnose the condition.
• MotherToBaby provides evidence-based education on the benefits and risks of exposure to medications, chemicals, vaccines and other substances during pregnancy.

Can you prevent microcephaly?

There’s no guaranteed way to prevent microcephaly. People with healthy pregnancies can still have babies with the condition. But there are some steps that lower the chances of having a baby with microcephaly. You should:

• Avoid alcohol and illicit drugs during pregnancy
• Cook meat until it’s done and avoid consuming raw or undercooked foods
• Ensure you receive all necessary vaccinations
• Protect yourself from the Zika virus by avoiding travel to areas where the virus is common
• Wash your hands regularly, especially after sneezing, coughing, preparing food or using the bathroom
• Wear a face mask if you need to be around harmful chemicals