Development of motor functions and speech may be delayed. Hyperactivity and mental retardation are common occurrences, although the degree of each varies. Convulsions may also occur. Motor ability varies, ranging from clumsiness to spastic quadriplegia. Generally there is no specific treatment for microcephaly.
Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
A serious attempt should be made to identify associated congential anomalies and to determine a specific cause of the disorder. In general, life expectancy for individuals with microcephaly is low and the prognosis for normal brain function is poor. The prognosis varies depending on the presence of associated abnormalities. The knowledge gained from these fundamental studies provides the foundation for understanding how this process can go awry and, thus, offers hope for new means to treat and prevent developmental brain disorders, including microcephaly. I, 2nd edition, W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, pp.