How is microcephaly diagnosed on ultrasound?

Diagnosing Microcephaly The measurement value also may be designated as less than the 3rd percentile. Microcephaly may be diagnosed during pregnancy with ultrasound. Microcephaly is most easily diagnosed by ultrasound late in the second trimester or early in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Can ultrasound be wrong about microcephaly?

In another study24, 11 of 16 cases of prenatally diagnosed microcephaly at a threshold of 3 SD below the mean for GA were false positive when examined at birth, giving a sensitivity of 31%.

What congenital infection causes microcephaly?

Causes of congenital microcephaly include: Prenatal infections: Exposure to the Zika virus, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, can damage nerve cells in the brain. Other infectious agents can also cause microcephaly, including rubella (German measles), chickenpox, toxoplasma, and cytomegalovirus.

When is microcephaly diagnosed?

During pregnancy, microcephaly can sometimes be diagnosed with an ultrasound test (which creates pictures of the body). To see microcephaly during pregnancy, the ultrasound test should be done late in the 2nd trimester or early in the third trimester.

How do you test for microcephaly?

Microcephaly may be diagnosed before birth by prenatal ultrasound. This imaging test uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to make images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. Ultrasounds let healthcare providers see the internal organs as they function. They also show blood flow through blood vessels.

When is microcephaly usually diagnosed?

What is considered microcephaly?

Microcephaly is defined as a head circumference measurement that is smaller than a certain value for babies of the same age and sex. This measurement value for microcephaly is usually more than 2 standard deviations (SDs) below the average. The measurement value also may be designated as less than the 3rd percentile.

What method of evaluation is used to detect microcephaly?

Microcephaly may be diagnosed before birth by prenatal ultrasound. This imaging test uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to make images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. Ultrasounds let healthcare providers see the internal organs as they function.

What is primary microcephaly?

Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (often shortened to MCPH, which stands for “microcephaly primary hereditary”) is a condition in which infants are born with a very small head and a small brain. The term “microcephaly” comes from the Greek words for “small head.”