Microcephaly and its influence on childhood developmental disorders

In 2016, the spread of the Zika virus has moved the world, especially among pregnant women. This viral infection can cause microcephaly at the time of the baby's birth. Before the emergence of the Zika virus, the use of drugs, alcohol and other viral infections, such as rubella, cytomegalovirus and chicken pox, were known to cause microcephaly.

Mirkosefali is a condition characterized by the head being smaller than a baby's normal size. This condition is feared not because of the head size that seems disproportionate, but the impact on growth and developmental disorders that may occur in children.

Impaired growth and development of children with microcephaly depends on stopping brain growth. Children with mild microcephaly will usually not experience this disorder. They can still develop according to the stages of growth and development according to their age. Conversely, children with severe microcephaly may experience learning difficulties and mobility.

Risk of interest disorders in children with microcephaly

The state of brain development that is blocked by micromephaly causes cerebral disease and mental retardation. In addition, children with microcephaly are at high risk for epilepsy, visual impairment and hearing loss.

1. Cerebral palsy or cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy or cerebral palsy is a disorder of brain development that requires people to overcome obstacles to control the muscles of the body.
Depending on the type and severity, patients with microcephaly with cerebral palsy will experience physical and cognitive developmental disabilities (children's ability to think and understand new things).

2. Mental retardation

Mental abilities or children's intelligence is below average and the lack of ability to carry out daily activities is a sign of mental retardation in children.

The ability of children to achieve growth and development in accordance with the severity of mental retardation experienced. This can be measured by an intelligence quotient test (IQ test). Children with IQ scores below 70 are said to experience mental retardation.

Growth and development issues that you need to be aware of

Signs of child developmental problems with microcephaly can be immediately identified at birth or when the child reaches school age. Common problems faced in the growth and development of children, namely impaired speech, communication, and learning disorders. In addition, emotional and social disorders can also occur in child development.

Children begin to make sounds like "ah" and "oh" at the age of 6 months and can speak short sentences when entering the age of 2 years. However, the development of this ability to speak has been delayed in children with microcephaly. In severe cases, children cannot talk to adulthood.

Microcephaly generally causes impaired development of motor skills, such as delay in being able to sit and walk. Under normal circumstances, children can sit at the age of 9 months and can walk alone at the age of 18 months.

Overcoming the growth and development of children

Microcephaly conditions cannot be cured. There is no way to improve the child's head size. What can be done is to prevent deterioration and assist children in their growth and development. The various options for dealing with growth and development disorders that occur depend on the severity.

If the therapy is done early, then the child's growth and development can take place better. Therapy options that can be done are speech therapy, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy. Although the child does not experience growth and development disorders at birth, children with microcephaly need to do regular checks to ensure the child's growth and development does not experience delays.

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