Anencephaly

Neural tube defects are birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. They happen in the first month of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows that she is pregnant. The two most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly. In spina bifida, the fetal spinal column doesn't close completely. There is usually nerve damage that causes at least some paralysis of the legs. In anencephaly, most of the brain and skull do not develop. Babies with anencephaly are usually either stillborn or die shortly after birth. Another type of defect, Chiari malformation, causes the brain tissue to extend into the spinal canal.The exact causes of neural tube defects aren't known. You're at greater risk of having an infant with a neural tube defect if youHave obesityHave poorly controlled diabetesTake certain antiseizure medicinesGetting enough folic acid, a type of B vitamin, before and during pregnancy prevents most neural tube defects.Neural tube defects are usually diagnosed before the infant is born, through lab or imaging tests. There is no cure for neural tube defects. The nerve damage and loss of function that are present at birth are usually permanent. However, a variety of treatments can sometimes prevent further damage and help with complications.NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Disease Alternative Name

neural tube defects

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Recent Cases of Anencephaly

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Dr. Suvarchala Pratap

Obstetrics & Gynecology

MAJOR FETAL MALFORMATION THAT CAN BE DIAGNOSED IN EARLY GESTATION: 1) Anencephaly-exencephaly sequence. 2) ...See More

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Lakshmi Venkata Simhachalam Kutikuppala

MBBS Student

CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS DIAGNOSED IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER Routine ultrasound scan for the diagnosis of congenital anomalies is done in the second trimester But in high risk cases, an early anomaly scan is done to identify major anomalies ...See More

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Lakshmi Venkata Simhachalam Kutikuppala

MBBS Student

Congenital malformations occuring in first trimester

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Top Cases of Anencephaly

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Dr. Geetanjali Kumari

Obstetrics & Gynecology

A 32 yr old lady came with c/o 5wks amenorrhea .she gave the history of cu t insertion 2yr back. she is para 2 with full...See More

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Dr. Binod Bihari Mahto

General Practice

22 yrs. female 7 month pregnant USG report is anencephaly polyhydramnios death fetus wich is the best treatment of this patient abortion or opration

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Dr. Suvarchala Pratap

Obstetrics & Gynecology

22 years ,/ 7 months gestational age / Anencephaly & polyhydramnios. Do routine investigations . Induce labour. If cervix is favourable ( well effaced ) , induce with syntocinon. If cervix is long and is is closed ,then induce with Misopro...

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