Handling microcephaly head-on

Microcephaly is hardly new to Trinidad and Tobago. According to some medical officials, there have been about a dozen cases annually, long before Zika arrived on our shores.

It helps to understand what microcephaly is and the range of factors that affect treatment options.

Microcephaly is a birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that may not develop properly. It is a lifelong condition. There is no known cure or standard treatment.

Because microcephaly can range from mild to severe, medical options can vary considerably.

Babies with mild microcephaly often don’t need much intervention.

These babies may need little more than routine check-ups to monitor their growth and development.

However, for more severe microcephaly, babies will need care and treatment focused on managing other health problems.

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Development must be complimented on the support given to the family.

The baby was delivered at Gulf View Medical Centre, and then was transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh, who survived Monday’s Cabinet reshuffle, said the baby was transferred to the family home after about five days in ICU, due to the family’s insistence as they wanted the baby at home with them.

The Health Minister said Social Development Minister Cherrie- Ann Crichlow-Cockburn has promised financial, clinical and developmental support for the baby, and others who were born with Zika-related microcephaly.

The baby was now being looked after at the San Fernando General Hospital, a public institution.

While we laud the care and attention being given to this case (which first emerged some weeks ago when it was determined further testing was required), it is important for the State to be equally zealous when it comes to general policy.

Support must be given to all cases of microcephaly, whether caused by Zika or not.

Indeed, the current attention being devoted to this case is an opportunity to ensure that systems are adequate for all other instances of this condition.

Microcephaly, though rare, can be triggered by certain infections during pregnancy, such as rubella, toxoplasmosis, or cytomegalovirus; severe malnutrition; exposure to harmful substances, such as alcohol, certain drugs, or toxic chemicals; and interruption of the blood supply to a baby’s brain during development.

But the elephant in the room is the question of what guidance the Ministry of Health is going to now give to women who may desire to become pregnant and women who are already pregnant and at risk of being diagnosed as having Zika.

Deyalsingh has for too long buried his head in the sand on this matter. His crotchety and uncouth reactions to questions about abortion policy sent the wrong signal for a minister who prides himself on being a hard-working administrator of the country’s healthcare system. There is a medical risk of microcephaly, but the condition is not a certainty, meaning the applicability of the medical exemption to the abortion ban should be discussed.

This matter must be dealt with head-on.