microcephaly
noun
mi·cro·ceph·a·ly
ˌmī-krō-ˈse-fə-lē 
: a condition of abnormal smallness of the circumference of the head that is present at birth or develops within the first few years of life and is often associated with developmental delays, impaired cognitive development, poor coordination and balance, deficits in hearing and vision, and seizures
Examples of microcephaly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Possible association between Zika virus and microcephaly.
—
Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 30 Dec. 2015
The emotional and psychological costs aside, the economic costs — anywhere from $1 million to $10 million over a lifetime for one case of microcephaly — are devastating.
—Robin Taylor Wilson, STAT, 5 Apr. 2020
Most infections resulted in nothing more than mild illnesses, but pregnant women who contracted the virus found themselves at greater risk of suffering miscarriages or giving birth to babies with microcephaly and other birth defects.
—oregonlive, 8 Feb. 2020
Scientists have already used organoids to make discoveries about schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders and the microcephaly caused by the Zika virus.
—Quanta Magazine, 23 Jan. 2020
See all Example Sentences for microcephaly 
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Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 30 Dec. 2015
The emotional and psychological costs aside, the economic costs — anywhere from $1 million to $10 million over a lifetime for one case of microcephaly — are devastating.
—Robin Taylor Wilson, STAT, 5 Apr. 2020
Most infections resulted in nothing more than mild illnesses, but pregnant women who contracted the virus found themselves at greater risk of suffering miscarriages or giving birth to babies with microcephaly and other birth defects.
—oregonlive, 8 Feb. 2020
Scientists have already used organoids to make discoveries about schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders and the microcephaly caused by the Zika virus.
—Quanta Magazine, 23 Jan. 2020
See all Example Sentences for microcephaly
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Cite this Entry
“Microcephaly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microcephaly. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
microcephaly
noun
mi·cro·ceph·a·ly
-ˈsef-ə-lē
plural microcephalies
: a condition of abnormal smallness of the circumference of the head that is present at birth or develops within the first few years of life and is often associated with developmental delays, impaired cognitive development, poor coordination and balance, deficits in hearing and vision, and seizures
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