Where Does Microcephaly Originate from?

Head size is a proxy for brain growth. Microcephaly may originate in utero and can be the result of genetic, teratogenic, mechanical, infectious, and other factors affecting the fetal brain. Congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) syndrome is a leading cause of microcephaly in endemic areas.

Where does microcephaly come from?

Microcephaly is a condition where a baby's head is much smaller than expected. During pregnancy, a baby's head grows because the baby's brain grows. Microcephaly can occur because a baby's brain has not developed properly during pregnancy or has stopped growing after birth, which results in a smaller head size.

When was microcephaly first discovered?

D. Holmes Morton and Richard Kelley of The Clinic for Special Children. Dr. Morton, who established the clinic as both a pediatric practice and a genetics diagnostic laboratory, saw the first case of Amish microcephaly in 1988 when a family asked him to come and see their child.