microcephaly: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “microcephaly” mean?
A medical condition where a baby's head is significantly smaller than expected for their age and sex, often due to abnormal brain development.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical condition where a baby's head is significantly smaller than expected for their age and sex, often due to abnormal brain development.
In broader medical contexts, it can refer to any condition characterized by an abnormally small head circumference, which may be congenital or acquired, and is often associated with developmental delays and neurological issues.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Identical clinical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both UK and US English, confined to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “microcephaly” in a Sentence
Microcephaly is associated with [neurological condition].The infant was diagnosed with microcephaly.Researchers are studying the causes of microcephaly.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “microcephaly” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The microcephalic infant required specialist care.
American English
- The microcephalic baby was referred to a neurologist.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and public health research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Rarely used; might appear in news reports about health crises (e.g., Zika virus).
Technical
Standard term in clinical neurology, paediatrics, teratology, and epidemiology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “microcephaly”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “microcephaly”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “microcephaly”
- Misspelling as 'microcephaly' (missing 'r').
- Using it as an adjective (the correct adjective is 'microcephalic').
- Confusing it with 'hydrocephaly'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be congenital (present at birth) or postnatal, developing in the first few years of life.
There is no cure for microcephaly itself. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and supporting development.
Microcephaly is a small but largely formed brain and skull. Anencephaly is a severe defect where major parts of the brain and skull are missing.
No, it is considered a rare condition, though incidence can rise during specific infectious outbreaks like Zika virus.
A medical condition where a baby's head is significantly smaller than expected for their age and sex, often due to abnormal brain development.
Microcephaly is usually technical/medical in register.
Microcephaly: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmaɪ.krəʊˈsef.əl.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmaɪ.kroʊˈsef.əl.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MICRO (small) + CEPHALY (related to the head, from Greek 'kephalē') = a condition of having a small head.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SMALL HEAD IS A DEFICIT (in development).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary field where the term 'microcephaly' is used?