Anencephaly: Cause, Diagnosis, Symptoms and Management
@mdmedicine.network [ 3΄ ] Anencephaly is a rare and fatal congenital disability that affects brain and skull development . A neural tube defect occurs when the neural tube fails to close properly during the early stages of fetal development, leaving only a small part of the brainstem and cerebellum intact. Anencephaly is a devastating condition with no cure and is often fatal within hours or days of birth . Anencephaly affects approximately 1 in every 10,000 births worldwide and is more common in females than males. Cause The exact cause of Anencephaly is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors . Risk factors include family history, low intake of folic acid during pregnancy, and exposure to certain chemicals and toxins. Diagnosis Prenatal diagnosis of Anencephaly through various methods, such as Ultrasound as early as 12 weeks of pregnancy, amniocentesis in which a small amount of amniotic fluid is removed from the sac surrounding th...