Microcephaly in Infants: A Retrospective Cohort Study from Turkey

• Published in: Journal of clinical research in pediatric endocrinology Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 168 - 176
• Main Authors: Keskindemirci, Gonca, Özbörü Aşkan, Öykü, Selver, Burak, Bakır Kayı, Alev, Gökçay, Gülbin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Galenos Yayinevi Tic. Ltd 01.06.2024; Galenos Yayincilik
• Subjects: Breast feeding; child; Children; definition; Demographic aspects; Epidemiology; follow-up; Health aspects; Infants; Medical records; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Microcephaly; risk factor; Risk factors; Turkey
• ISSN: 1308-5727; 1308-5735
• DOI: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2024.2023-5-3

Objective: Microcephaly (MC) is a clinical finding mostly reflecting deficiency of brain growth. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess risk factors and follow-up features of children with MC. Methods: Children's personal health records (n=7580) followed between 2002 and 2020 in the Unit of a Well Child Clinic were assessed retrospectively. The case group comprised children with MC. MC was defined as head circumference (HC) standard deviation score (SDS) value [less than or equal to]-2 SDS. Age and sex-matched children with normal HC were selected as the control group. Results: Children with MC (n=49) had more disadvantaged sociodemographic characteristics, such as young maternal and paternal age and low maternal and paternal education. Breastfeeding was more common among controls (n=98). Resolution of MC was observed in 26 (53.1%) children with MC, whether it was mild (HC SDS between -2 and -2.9) or severe (HC SDS [less than or equal to]3). Children with persistent MC had poorer developmental milestones than controls and cases with resolution. Sociodemographic features or developmental milestones in mild and severe MC did not differ. Conclusion: These results suggest that the use of a definition of MC of [less than or equal to]-2 SDS would be appropriate in order not to miss cases on follow-up. Greater sociodemographic equality may prevent some cases of MC. Further studies are needed evaluating socioeconomic factors on MC. Keywords: Microcephaly, child, risk factor, follow-up, definition, epidemiology