User:Mr. Ibrahem/Anencephaly

Anencephaly is the absence of most of the brain and skull as a result of issues during early development. Babies with the condition are blind, deaf, unconscious, and unable to feel pain. Reflexes such as breathing and responses to sound or touch may be present.

It is believed to result from a number of factors including folate deficiency, antiepileptic medication, diabetes, excessive vitamin A, and hyperthermia during pregnancy. It is a type of neural tube defect. The underlying mechanism involved failure of closure of the head end of the neural tube. Diagnosis before birth may be suspected based on high levels of alpha fetoprotein in the mother and confirmed by ultrasound.

Prevention is by supplementation of folic acid. The anti epileptic medication, valproate should be avoided during pregnancy, if possible. Treatment involves supportive care. If the baby is born alive, most die within a few hours or days of birth. About 1 in 7,500 births are affected in the United States.