Patient's question:
He can walk, 3 years old and can say simple words (like "" and ""). Before 3, he was hyperactive and loved throwing things. He can recognize what adults say and follow instructions. At 4, he went to kindergarten. He can read but never write. He can memorize texts, poems, and numbers, but he cannot count objects clearly. With adult prompts, he can count to 100. His attention is not focused, and he often avoids eye contact. He used to be quite smart.From 4 to 5 years old, there was little progress. His language skills were too limited to express his thoughts. His MRI and CT scans were normal, but his EEG was abnormal. At 301 Hospital, under Professor Zou Liping, he underwent thorough examinations and previous treatments.
Currently, he is undergoing rehabilitation training at Kangtong. The center is not a formal rehabilitation facility, and he feels it is delaying his intellectual development. Most of the patients there are autistic.
Doctor, is my son born with microcephaly? Can his intelligence improve? I don’t think he’s very stupid—his comprehension is okay, but he is hyperactive and has poor concentration. Please help me. What is wrong with my child? Will he 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. It increases by 8-10 cm in the first six months and 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. It is most meaningful to measure it at 2 years of age. An abnormally large head circumference may indicate hydrocephalus or rickets, while an abnormally 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.