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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you've just learned your child has microcephaly or you suspect that your child's head is too small, you're likely to start by seeing your pediatrician. However, in some cases, your pediatrician may refer you to a pediatric neurologist.
It's a good idea to prepare for your appointment. Here's some information to help you.
What you can do
- Write down any concerns you have about your child, including any regarding small head size or delayed developmental markers.
- Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information you get during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Preparing a list of questions for your doctor will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important. For microcephaly, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my child's condition?
- What kinds of tests does my child need?
- What is the best course of action?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend?
Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.
- NINDS microcephaly information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/microcephaly/microcephaly.htm. Accessed Feb. 4, 2010.
- Boom JA. Etiology and evaluation of microcephaly in infants. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 11, 2010.
- Tarrant A, et al. Microcephaly: A radiological review. Pediatric Radiology. 2009;39:722.
- Mochida GH. Genetics and biology of microcephaly and lissencephaly. Seminars in Pediatric Neurology. 2009;16:120.
- Mighell AS, et al. Post-natal investigations: Management and prognosis for fetuses with CNS anomalies identified in utero excluding neurosurgical problems. Prenatal Diagnosis. 2009;29:442.
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