What is Anencephaly?
Anencephaly is a birth condition in which the infant has no brain, or there is the absence of a significant portion of the brain. This is one of the most common neural tube defects. Some cases of anencephaly in which the breathing and responses are intact but for most cases, the infant is no longer alive.
In anencephaly, the infant literally has no skull and brain specifically the cerebellum and the cerebral hemispheres. The infant usually has abnormalities in the facial features as well as the presence of heart defects. Because of these the infant usually has a very poor prognosis and may not survive, most pregnancies with an anencephalic fetus or infant results in a miscarriage..
What may have caused anencephaly?
According to some studies, women who have diabetes that is of the insulin dependent type and women who are taking certain medications such as those for epilepsy have higher risk for having a child with anencephaly. Other factors include genetic defects and the lack of folic acid in the diet. Exposure to highly toxic substances also adds the risk, exposure to substances such as chromium, mercury, nickel and lead.
How is anencephaly prevented?
According to reliable and updated studies, a high diet of folic acid significantly reduces the risk or bearing an anencephalic infant not only that, but it also significantly reduces the risk for neural tube defects. The recommended dosage of folic acid is 0.4 mg which can be taken as early as when the woman is planning to get pregnant. When pregnant, it is important to avoid exposure to toxics or substances that will endanger the infant’s development and growth. Proper care and cautious lifestyle needs to be employed.
Diagnostic tests
Ultrasound confirms the diagnosis of anencephaly. Other test results accompany with the ultrasound test such as the condition of too much amniotic fluid or medically known as polyhydramnios. Amniocentesis may also be done which is the aspiration of amniotic fluid to get a sample. This is then examined to detect any increase in alpha fetoprotein levels, when the levels of alpha feto protein is increased, this suggests that the infant has a neural tube defect. Urinalysis is also done and the urine estriol level is checked.
Is there a cure for Anencephaly?
There is no cure for this kind of condition. An infant with anencephaly has a very poor prognosis and most don’t survive at birth. Cardiorespiratory arrest usually results. Resuscitation is no longer done but some management may be provided if the anencephalic infant shows signs o life such as breathing or responding to sounds and touch, some measures are provided such as for nutrition, safety and for the comfort measures.
Pediatric advanced life support such as those in CPR Nashville, browse here to visit their site, may cover some infant care for anen cephaly but usually, cases like this are not regarded as priority. The family, especially the mother undergo grieving and may undergo counselling that is also associated with genetic counselling to prevent the development of neural tube defect for the next pregnancy.
