Anencephaly

What is it?

• absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp
• baby is missing portion of neural tube
• cephalic disorder resulting from neural tube defect

When does it occur?

• occurs during embryonic development

What Causes it?

-Lack of folic acid consumption during pregnancy
-high exposure to toxins (lead, mercury, etc.)

What Are the Infants Missing?

• A telencephalon
• largest part of the brain
• includes the neocortex
• which is responsible for cognition

How long do these infants survive?

• Do not survive longer than a few hours
• Or possibly a few days

History

• was not described in recognizable form until 16th century

What's happening

• an open defect in cavalria and skin

Diagnosis

When does defect occur?

Prognosis

• results in baby born without forebrain
• without thinking and coordinating part of brain

Treatment

• no known cure
• no standard treatment
• most babies born with anencephaly die

Associated Illnesses

• encephalocele
• spine bifida

How Common is it?

Sources
-"Facts about Anencephaly." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Oct. 2014. Web. 16 Nov. 2014. .
-"Facts about Anencephaly." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Oct. 2014. Web. 16 Nov. 2014. .
-"Anencephaly." Genetics Home Reference. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014. .