microcephaly

microcephaly /mi·cro·ceph·a·ly/ abnormal smallness of the head.microcephal´ic

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mi·cro·ceph·a·ly (mkr-sf-l)

n.

Abnormal smallness of the head. Also called nanocephaly.

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micro·ce·phalic (-s-flk) adj.

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Microcephaly

An abnormally small head.

Mentioned in: Cri Du Chat Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

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microcephaly

[mī′krōsef′əlē]

Etymology: Gk, mikros + kephale, head

a congenital anomaly characterized by abnormal smallness of the head in relation to the rest of the body and by underdevelopment of the brain, resulting in some degree of mental retardation. The head is more than two standard deviations below the average circumference size for age, sex, race, and period of gestation. It has a narrow, receding forehead; a flattened occiput; and a pointed vertex. The facial features are generally normal. The condition may be caused by an autosomal-recessive disorder, a chromosomal abnormality, a toxic stimulus such as irradiation or chemical agents, maternal infection during prenatal development, or any trauma, especially during the third trimester of pregnancy or early infancy. There is no treatment, and nursing care is primarily supportive and educational, helping parents learn to care for a brain-damaged child. Also called microcephalia, microcephalism. Compare macrocephaly. microcephalic, microcephalous, adj., microcephalic, microcephalus, n.

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microcephaly (mīˈ·krō·seˑ·f·lē),

n a congenital disorder characterized by an abnormally small head relative to the rest of the body and an underdeveloped brain; may result in mental retardation; caused by a chromosomal anomaly or exposure to trauma or toxic stimulus during prenatal development.

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microcephaly

small size of the head in relation to the rest of the body.

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microcephaly

Neonatology An abnormally small head, often associated with developmental delay and mental retardation; any brain or head that is ≥ 3 standard deviations below the mean for a person's age, sex, height, weight, race. Cf Macrocephaly.