Microcephaly may be congenital or acquired. Congenital microcephaly can be classified based on the head circumference relative to normal and its relationship to the rest of the body.
Patient assessment: at birth or before 6 weeks of age ("congenital")
Parameters:
(1) head circumference percentile for age and gender
(2) disproportion between head circumference and body development (head circumference relatively small for height and weight)
Head Circumference
Disproportionate
Term
> 5th percentile
no
normal
yes
relative MC
3rd to 5th percentile
no
proportionate MC, less severe
yes
disproportionate MC, less severe
< 3rd percentile
no
proportionate MC, severe
yes
disproportionate MC, severe
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