Assessment of infants with microcephaly in the context of Zika virus
Interim guidance
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Authors:
World Health Organization
Publication details
Number of pages: 2
Publication date: 25 February 2016
Languages: English
WHO reference number:WHO/ZIKV/MOC/16.3
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Overview
Microcephaly is a condition where a baby has a head that is smaller when compared with other babies of the same sex and age. Microcephaly is a clinical sign and not a disease. Babies born with microcephaly are at risk of developmental delay and intellectual disability and may also develop convulsions and physical disabilities including hearing and vision impairment. However, a proportion of these infants will have normal neurological development.
This document aims to provide interim guidance on standard measurement of head circumference, growth reference standards, clinical assessment and investigations required to establish a diagnosis of microcephaly and if any neurological abnormalities are associated.
Related links
Interim guidance
Authors:
World Health Organization
Publication details
Number of pages: 2
Publication date: 25 February 2016
Languages: English
WHO reference number:WHO/ZIKV/MOC/16.3
Downloads
Overview
Microcephaly is a condition where a baby has a head that is smaller when compared with other babies of the same sex and age. Microcephaly is a clinical sign and not a disease. Babies born with microcephaly are at risk of developmental delay and intellectual disability and may also develop convulsions and physical disabilities including hearing and vision impairment. However, a proportion of these infants will have normal neurological development.
This document aims to provide interim guidance on standard measurement of head circumference, growth reference standards, clinical assessment and investigations required to establish a diagnosis of microcephaly and if any neurological abnormalities are associated.
Related links