After being born, parents will certainly be very happy to see their baby born healthy, safe, and have complete and normal limbs. One medical problem that causes the size of a baby's head to shrink is microcephaly. Actually, what causes babies to experience microcephalus? Let's peel one by one of the following causes.
Various causes of microcephaly in infants
Microcephaly a condition of a baby's head that is small in size. This happens because, during pregnancy, the baby's brain and head are not well developed. However, it can also occur after the baby is born due to certain factors. Microcephaly can occur without or with other disabilities.
In addition to the size of the head circumference below the average baby of his age, babies with microcephaly usually have a backward sloping forehead shape. There are several causes of microcephalus that parents need to know, namely:
1. Craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis is a condition of birth defects that causes the shape of the baby's head to be abnormal due to abnormalities in the skull. This disorder affects the development of the baby's head and brain so that it can be the cause of the baby's head being smaller than it should be.
To overcome this disorder, the baby needs a surgical process to separate the problematic bones. If there are no problems that occur in the brain, this operation allows the brain to have enough space to grow and develop.
2. Genetic abnormalities
Genetic disorders are often the cause of various health problems, one of which is microcephalus. Each gene consists of DNA which acts as a regulator of protein production which is closely related to the growth and development of the baby.
If there is a problem or gene abnormality that occurs in the baby, then the growth and development of his body can be disrupted. One gene disorder that can cause microcephaly is Down syndrome.
3. Malnutrition
Pregnant women need a lot of nutrients to support the growth and development of the fetus in the womb. Important nutrients during the pregnancy are obtained from food and beverages, such as vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, nuts, and seeds.
If the nutritional needs of pregnant women are not adequately adequate, the development of the baby can be disrupted. This can be the cause of small baby heads.
4. Use of certain substances and exposure to chemicals
In addition to nutritional needs that must be considered, you will often hear if pregnant women are prohibited from carrying out activities or using certain substances. This includes work that causes pregnant women to be exposed to chemicals, habits of smoking and drinking alcohol, or using certain drugs.
All foreign substances that enter the body of the mother, can flow with blood and enter the baby's body. These substances that are not needed can disrupt the child's brain development process so that it can cause microcephalus.
5. Infection
Infection in the body of a pregnant woman can cause problems in the development of the baby. Because the infection can flow with the blood and enter the baby's body or it can also interfere with the work of the mother's organs that should perfect the fetus.
Some infections that can cause microcephaly in infants include:
- Chickenpox is an infection of the varicella virus which causes the body to have a fever accompanied by water-filled sponges
- Zika virus is a virus that is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito which causes Zika fever
- Toxoplasmosis is an infection that causes the body to have fever, convulsions, and enlargement of the spleen
- Rubella infection which causes red rashes all over the skin
- Cytomegalovirus infection that causes fever, geta gland6. clear swelling, and muscle pain
6. Celebral anoxia
Pregnancy complications can also be a cause of microcephalus, one of which is celebral anoxia. This condition occurs because the delivery of oxygen to the fetal brain is blocked. Inadequate oxygen intake can cause the development of the baby's brain and head to be disrupted.
7. Fenilketonuria
Phenylketonuria is a birth defect that causes amino acids called phenylalanine to accumulate in the body. This occurs because of a defect in the gene inherited from parents to break down phenylalanine.
Pregnant women who have this condition are very risky, one of which can cause microcephalus or miscarriage.
Parents must find out the cause of microcephalus in children
There are many causes of microsefall that may occur. It is very important to find out why it will help physicians and families to predict what symptoms will be experienced by the child. For example, microsefallings caused by the delayed developmental risk of developing seizures.
Meanwhile, certain causes of microcephalus can also damage motor function so that later can affect the ability of the child to regulate and control his movements.
Then, if microcephalus is caused by an infection, it will usually cause vision and hearing problems. Consult your doctor to find out more about microcephalus in infants.
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