Michelle is a pregnant mother just about at full term at almost 40 weeks. During a routine obstetrician visit, the physician measured around her belly and remarked, “This baby is small for being 37 weeks.” Michelle responded that she is not 37 weeks pregnant, but rather almost 40 weeks pregnant. The obstetrician looked quickly at the medical chart, realized her error, and stated, “The baby shouldn’t be this small at almost 40 weeks. We need to admit you to the hospital and induce labor.” Labor was induced, and Michael was born weighing just 3 pounds, 7 ounces (1.7 kilograms). It was observed at birth that Michael was missing fingers on his left hand, displayed webbing between his fingers and toes, and had microcephaly. Later, Michael was diagnosed with Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS), a rare genetic condition caused by a sporadic gene mutation.

1. What is microcephaly?

2. At what stage of development does microcephaly occur?

3. How does microcephaly relate to neurogenesis?