Patient's question:
He can walk, 3 years old and can say simple words (like "daddy," "mommy," etc.). Before 3, he was hyperactive and loved throwing things. He can recognize what adults say and follow instructions. At 4, he went to kindergarten, can read but will never write, can memorize texts, poems, and numbers. He is unclear about counting objects but can count to 100 with adult prompts. His attention is not focused, and he often doesn't make eye contact when answering. He used to be quite smart, but between 4 and 5, there was little progress in language development, making it hard for him to express his thoughts. His MRI and CT scans are normal, but his EEG is abnormal. At 301 Zou Liping, he underwent thorough examinations and previous treatment and its effects: Currently, he is undergoing rehabilitation training at Kangtong. What kind of assistance is needed: My son is older than average, and the non-standard rehabilitation center has delayed his intellectual development, as most patients there are autistic. Hello, is my son born with microcephaly? Can his intelligence improve? I don’t think he’s too stupid; his comprehension is okay, but he’s hyperactive and easily distracted. Please help me, doctor. Can you guess what’s wrong with my child and whether he can get better? Thank you.Doctor's answer:
Through the weak area above the supraorbital ridge, encircling the length around the occipital protuberance, head circumference is closely related to the growth and development of the brain. At birth, the average head circumference is 34 cm, increasing by 8-10 cm in the first six months, and then by 2-4 cm in the following year. At 6 months, the head circumference is 44 cm, at 1 year it is 46 cm (same as chest circumference), at 2 years it is 48 cm, at 5 years it is 50 cm, and at 15 years it reaches the adult range of 54-58 cm. Head circumference reflects the growth and development of the brain and skull, and it is most meaningful to measure it at 2 years of age. An abnormally large head circumference may be seen in hydrocephalus or rickets, while a small head circumference may indicate microcephaly.Guidance on measuring head circumference: Use a flexible tape measure. For children, have them stand, sit, or lie down. Fix the 0 point of the tape measure at the upper edge of one eyebrow arch, ensuring the tape measure is close to the scalp (parting the hair if necessary). Wrap the tape measure around the highest point of the occipital protuberance and back to the 0 point on the upper edge of the other eyebrow arch to determine the head circumference length.