Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
04/12/2015
Malformation will be pointed out in heads 32 cm or less perimeter.
Before measured was 33 cm; new measures from this Friday.
The Ministry of Health will change from this Friday (4) the criteria that classify a child as having microcephaly. Until then, the folder believed that babies with head circumference equal to or less than 33 cm had the malformation. The new standard goes on to point microcephaly in children with head measuring 32 cm or less in circumference.
In practice, fewer babies will be considered as suspected of presenting a malformation. The ministry did not say how many reported cases cease to be suspected of microcephaly based on the new measures.
In a statement, the ministry said the new measure "aims to streamline clinical procedures, without neglecting the babies who were part of the first list of notified cases."
The folder also says that the change will allow a better assessment of the problem in the country. "Given the unexpected and unusual increase in cases of microcephaly in newborns, assigned to the Zika virus, the first time the Ministry of Health recommended that adopted the measure of 33 cm for the PC [head circumference]. The initiative was aim to include a greater number of babies in research to better understand the situation. "
Malformation will be pointed out in heads 32 cm or less perimeter.
Before measured was 33 cm; new measures from this Friday.
The Ministry of Health will change from this Friday (4) the criteria that classify a child as having microcephaly. Until then, the folder believed that babies with head circumference equal to or less than 33 cm had the malformation. The new standard goes on to point microcephaly in children with head measuring 32 cm or less in circumference.
In practice, fewer babies will be considered as suspected of presenting a malformation. The ministry did not say how many reported cases cease to be suspected of microcephaly based on the new measures.
In a statement, the ministry said the new measure "aims to streamline clinical procedures, without neglecting the babies who were part of the first list of notified cases."
The folder also says that the change will allow a better assessment of the problem in the country. "Given the unexpected and unusual increase in cases of microcephaly in newborns, assigned to the Zika virus, the first time the Ministry of Health recommended that adopted the measure of 33 cm for the PC [head circumference]. The initiative was aim to include a greater number of babies in research to better understand the situation. "