CAUSES OF MICROCEPHALY: APPROACH TO ZIKA

Introduction and objectives:The microcephaly is defined by a head circumference with 3 standard deviations below the average for age and sex. There are primary and secondary causes for the development of this clinical condition. The entire investigation affected children is determined by anamnesis, echographic aspects, genetic, and serological examinations. The objective of this study is to tackle the main causes of microcap haly, its relationship with the Zika virus and the main consequences. Methodology:The researches were performed in four bibliographic databases - PubMed, Web of Science, SciELO and LILACS, published between 2011 and 2015, in English, Portuguese or Spanish. The descriptors used were microcephaly disease, complications microcephaly and Zika virus. These terms were associated for better results.Results and conclusions: Microcephaly is a neurological disease, in which the size of the skull bones is lower, therefore, a reduced head circumference. The child presents neuropsychomotor development, delay and a degree of mental retardation. There are primary causes, associated to a poor training or specific genetic syndrome, and secondary, by radiation, congenital infections by cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, rubella and zika virus. The Zika seems to be responsible for the microcephaly epidemic that began at northeast Brazil. This virus has great neurotropism and avoids migration and the proper connection of cells, the brain does not reach the normal size.