Baby head shapes

A small brain is usually caused by the early failure of brain growth in pregnancy due to chromosomal abnormalities, infection, recreational drugs or excess alcohol intack. After the birth, microcephaly may occur as a result of severe foetal distrss and asphyxia with brain injury, infection, or an underactive thyroid gland. Close follow-up is usual, but the extent of the problem is usually not evident for seven to nine years.

Microcephaly may be associated with fusion of the skull bones earlier than the usual fifth or sixth month after birth. Early fusion can restrict space for the brain to grow adn may make the head look small or oddly shaped, depending on which skull bones fuse. Sometimes surgery may be needed to prevent damage to the developing brain.

Buy Mother and Baby Health: The A-Z of pregnancy, birth and beyond by Dr Yehudi Gordon and Harriet Sharkey, Andy Raffles and Felicity Fine, published by Ebury press.