Home / Glossary Anencephaly By Motherly Editors April 2, 2024 Rectangle Inside this article DefinitionKey TakeawaysImportanceExplanationExamples of AnencephalyAnencephaly - Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is Anencephaly?What causes Anencephaly?Can Anencephaly be prevented?What are the signs of Anencephaly?Can babies with Anencephaly live?Related Motherhood TermsSources for More Information Table of Contents Toggle DefinitionKey TakeawaysImportanceExplanationExamples of AnencephalyAnencephaly - Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is Anencephaly?What causes Anencephaly?Can Anencephaly be prevented?What are the signs of Anencephaly?Can babies with Anencephaly live?Related Motherhood TermsSources for More Information Definition Anencephaly is a serious developmental disorder where a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull. It’s a type of neural tube defect that occurs during embryonic development. Sadly, most babies with this condition die shortly after birth or are stillborn. Key Takeaways Anencephaly is a severe birth defect where a baby is born without parts of the brain, skull and scalp. This condition occurs early in the development of the baby, within the first few weeks of conception. Unfortunately, there is no cure or standard treatment for Anencephaly. Babies with this condition usually do not survive more than a few hours to a few days after birth. Therefore, care tends to focus on making the baby as comfortable as possible. The exact cause of Anencephaly is unknown. However, pregnant women can reduce the risk of having a baby with Anencephaly by consuming enough folic acid before and during the pregnancy, which can help the baby’s brain and spine develop properly. Importance The term Anencephaly, in relation to motherhood, is pivotal due to its association with a severe birth defect that typically impacts a developing baby during pregnancy. This defect results in a baby being born without parts of the brain, skull, or scalp. To prospective or existing mothers, understanding anencephaly is crucial as it is among one of the more extreme neural tube defects, often resulting in miscarriage or a baby’s death shortly after birth. The cause of anencephaly is usually unknown but could be linked to a combination of genes and environmental factors. Thus, for mothers seeking to understand potential risks during pregnancy and seeking preventative measures to ensure the birth of a healthy baby, awareness of anencephaly is crucial. Explanation Anencephaly is a severe birth defect where a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull. It primarily serves as a crucial factor in parental planning and decision-making during pregnancy. This severe developmental anomaly, detected during prenatal screening tests, informs prospective parents about the significant challenges a baby with this condition will face. The knowledge about this condition prepares the parents either for the care that the baby will need or for the possibility of making a difficult decision of terminating the pregnancy. It is also used by medical practitioners for research and educational purposes to understand the causes and possible prevention measures. By studying instances of anencephaly, researchers aim to identify the genetic, environmental or behavioral factors that might lead to such conditions. This can pave the way to preventive measures, reducing the occurrences of anencephaly. In essence, this term characterizes a much unfortunate and severe condition facilitating vital decisions and the progressive understanding of human development. Examples of Anencephaly Anencephaly is a serious birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull. It is a type of neural tube defect. Here are three real-world examples related to this condition: Case Study from Medical Journal: A case study was published in the Journal of Prenatal Medicine concerning an anencephalic pregnancy. In this case, the pregnant woman went for regular prenatal check-ups where the routine ultrasounds failed to show any signs of an anomaly. However, a detailed ultrasound in the third trimester revealed the fatal condition of anencephaly. In spite of the poor prognosis, the mother decided to continue with the pregnancy and the baby lived for a few minutes after birth. Awareness Raising: A mother from Washington, USA, who had a baby born with anencephaly, started a campaign to raise awareness about the condition, as well as to promote the importance of taking folic acid before and during pregnancy, which can reduce the risk of neural tube defects. She shares her personal experience and advocates for further research. Organ Donation: A family in California made the painful decision to carry an anencephalic pregnancy to term in order to donate the organs. Despite the heartache, they felt that this was a way to bring meaning to their baby’s short life by helping others in desperate need of organ transplants. Their tragic but inspiring story was widely reported in the media and raised ethical discussions about organ donation from newborns with fatal conditions. Anencephaly – Frequently Asked Questions What is Anencephaly? Anencephaly is a serious birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull. It is a type of neural tube defect (NTD). These defects are conditions that affect the tissue that becomes the spinal cord and brain. What causes Anencephaly? Anencephaly occurs early in the development of an unborn baby. It results when the upper part of the neural tube fails to close. The exact causes of anencephaly are unknown, but it may be a combination of genetics and environmental factors. Can Anencephaly be prevented? While not all cases of anencephaly can be prevented, taking certain vitamins containing folic acid before and during early pregnancy can greatly reduce the risk. What are the signs of Anencephaly? Anencephaly can generally be diagnosed during pregnancy through ultrasound examinations. Some physical signs for the condition include absence of the skull, heart defects, and abnormal facial features. Can babies with Anencephaly live? Babies with anencephaly are usually born alive, but due to the absence of a large part of the brain and skull, they usually die soon after birth. Related Motherhood Terms Neural Tube Defects Spina Bifida Congenital Anomalies Folic Acid Supplementation Prenatal Diagnosis Sources for More Information Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) World Health Organization (WHO) March of Dimes Mayo Clinic Inside this article DefinitionKey TakeawaysImportanceExplanationExamples of AnencephalyAnencephaly - Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is Anencephaly?What causes Anencephaly?Can Anencephaly be prevented?What are the signs of Anencephaly?Can babies with Anencephaly live?Related Motherhood TermsSources for More Information More terms Second-stage labour April 2, 2024 Ovaries April 2, 2024 Parturition April 3, 2024 Fertility treatment April 2, 2024 Diagnosis April 2, 2024