Anencephaly is a severe birth abnormality in which a newborn is born without portions of their brain or skull. Such a defect affects the neural tube (NTD). The baby's brain, skull (the upper portion of the neural tube), spinal cord, and backbone are all formed when the neural tube develops and closes properly (the lower part of the neural tube). Anencephaly occurs when the top section of the neural tube fails to seal completely. As a result, babies are frequently born lacking the frontal lobe (forebrain) and the cognitive and coordination region of the brain (cerebrum). Bone and skin are frequently absent from the remaining portions of the brain.
Each kid may present with distinct symptoms; the most prevalent anencephaly signs and symptoms are listed below:
Anencephaly symptoms might match those of other illnesses or ailments. For a diagnosis, always visit your child's doctor.
Anencephaly is a severe congenital birth defect in which the brain and skull do not develop properly during fetal development. There are three types of anencephaly-
Anencephaly is a severe birth defect that results from incomplete development of the fetal brain and skull. It can be caused by genetic mutations or abnormalities, exposure to certain environmental factors, maternal health conditions, nutritional deficiencies, or alcohol or drug use during pregnancy. The exact cause of anencephaly may not be known in some cases, but taking steps to maintain a healthy pregnancy and minimizing exposure to potential risk factors can help to reduce the risk of this devastating condition.
Your healthcare practitioner may request certain tests during pregnancy to check for symptoms that might point to a neural tube abnormality. Moreover, medical practitioners can diagnose anencephaly in babies based on their appearance. Among the prenatal causes of anencephaly are:
Anencephaly is a severe and irreversible birth defect, so there is no cure or treatment available. Most of the time, the newborn cannot live more than a few hours or days after birth. However, parents may decide to end the pregnancy if anencephaly is found during the pregnancy. After delivery, the baby can receive supportive care to keep them as comfortable as possible until they pass away. Families with a history of anencephaly may also benefit from genetic counselling to address the possibility of a return in subsequent pregnancies.
The development of anencephaly and other abnormalities of the neural tube cannot always be avoided. However, by planning ahead of time and being healthy, you may dramatically reduce your chances of delivering a child with the illness. Even if you do not intend to become pregnant, women of reproductive age should take 400 mcg of folic acid daily. If you've already given birth to a kid who has a neural tube defect, talk to your healthcare practitioner about ways you may stay healthy.
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