Microcephaly - A Small Head

It is called microcephaly and it is the medical term for a small head. According to a report in the journal Nature, mutations in the gene wdr62 are a cause of microcephaly. Now here is the problem: a small head circumference is often associated with problems during brain development.

Microcephaly may be obvious at birth or may develop in early childhood. At the present time there is no treatment for microcephaly and prognosis is variable. Some individuals may be severely disabled and others will only have mild disability.

The fact that there is a genetic link that has been established in at least some of the cases may help in research for potential treatment or early recognition of the problem.

Reported By: Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor