Microcephaly

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What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office

This finding is usually discovered by the health care provider during routine examination. Head measurements are a routine procedure during a well-baby examination up to 18 months (longer in certain circumstances). They are painless and take only a few seconds while the measuring tape is placed around the infant's head.

Documenting microcephaly in detail may include:

• What is the head circumference?
• Is the head growing at a slower rate than the body?
• What other symptoms are also present?

Note: A record of the head circumference should be maintained over time.

Although the health care provider maintains records on your baby, it may be helpful to maintain your own records of the well-baby findings, and to bring your records to the health care provider's attention if you notice that the infant's head growth pattern seems to be decreasing. If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to microcephaly, you may want to note that diagnosis in your child's personal medical record.