Microcephaly Definition, Causes and More
Article Sources
- 1. 'Microcephaly.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 25 June 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/microcephaly/symptoms-causes/syc-20375051.
- 2. 'Microcephaly: Boston Children's Hospital. Boston Childrens Hospital, www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/m/microcephaly.
- 3. 'Default - Stanford Children's Health.' Stanford Children's Health - Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=microcephaly-90-P02610.
- 4. Hanzlik, Emily, and Joseph Gigante. 'Microcephaly.' Children (Basel, Switzerland), MDPI, 9 June 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5483622/.
- 5. 'Facts about Microcephaly.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Oct. 2020, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/microcephaly.html.
- 6. 'Microcephaly: Symptoms and Causes: Boston Children's Hospital.' Boston Childrens Hospital, www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/m/microcephaly/symptoms-and-causes.
- 7. 'Microcephaly: Treatments: Boston Children's Hospital.' Boston Childrens Hospital, www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/m/microcephaly/treatments.
- 8. 'Microcephaly: Frequently Asked Questions: Boston Children's Hospital.' Boston Childrens Hospital, www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/m/microcephaly/frequently-asked-questions.
- 9. 'Facts about Craniosynostosis.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Oct. 2020, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/craniosynostosis.html.
- 10. 'Craniosynostosis.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 13 Dec. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/craniosynostosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354517.
Prevention of Microcephaly
While genetic forms of microcephaly can't be prevented, genetic counseling may help parents understand the chances of microcephaly occurring in future pregnancies. An expectant mother can lower the risk of microcephaly in her unborn baby by following a nutritious diet and avoiding drugs, alcohol and exposure to toxic chemicals.
Pregnant women should also try to avoid situations in which they're exposed to viruses and infections. This includes taking steps to prevent mosquito bites and avoiding travel to regions experiencing Zika outbreaks.8‘Microcephaly: Frequently Asked Questions: Boston Children’s Hospital.’ Boston Childrens Hospital, www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/m/microcephaly/frequently-asked-questions.
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