Macrocephaly, characterized by an abnormally large head circumference, can arise from various causes including genetic conditions, brain malformations, or vascular abnormalities. Treatments for macrocephaly depend heavily on the underlying cause, as macrocephaly itself is a symptom rather than a standalone…
Microcephaly is a medical condition where a baby’s head is significantly smaller than expected compared to babies of the same age and sex. This small head size usually reflects an underdeveloped brain, which can lead to developmental delays, intellectual disabilities,…
Anencephaly is a severe congenital condition where a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp fails to develop properly during early fetal development. This defect occurs when the neural tube, which forms the brain and spinal cord, does not…
Spina bifida in infants is primarily detected through a combination of prenatal screening tests and postnatal physical examinations, with the most common and effective methods involving ultrasound imaging, maternal blood tests, and diagnostic procedures like amniocentesis. During pregnancy, **ultrasound** is…
Hydrocephalus is a condition where excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the brain’s ventricles, causing increased pressure that can damage brain tissue. The signs of hydrocephalus vary depending on the person’s age, the severity of fluid buildup, and how…
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a complex neurological condition caused by brain damage or abnormal brain development, often before or shortly after birth, which affects movement, muscle tone, and posture. Because CP varies widely in severity and symptoms, its treatment is…
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused primarily by genetic mutations that affect the production of a crucial protein called survival motor neuron (SMN). The key gene involved is known as SMN1. Normally, this gene provides instructions for making the SMN…
Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic disorders characterized by progressive muscle weakness and degeneration. The way muscular dystrophy is inherited depends on the specific type of the disease, as different forms have distinct genetic causes and inheritance patterns. Understanding…
Myasthenia gravis is a condition that causes muscle weakness due to a breakdown in communication between nerves and muscles. The symptoms can vary widely but generally involve muscles becoming weak and tiring quickly, especially after use, and often improving with…
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is caused by an abnormal immune response in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves, the network of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. This immune attack leads to inflammation and damage to…