Question 1

what is anencephaly?

Accepted Answer

Anencephaly: Anencephaly is one of a group of malformations of the central nervous system collectively called neural tube defects. Anencephaly is readily apparent at birth because of the absence of the skull and scalp and with exposure of the underlying brain.

Question 2

what can i do to treat anencephaly?

Accepted Answer

Comfort care only!: Nobody can nor should help prolong the "lives" of these poor neonates. Anencephalic newborns are devoid of any chance of meaningful interaction with the environment and never attain consciousness. Comfort care is all that is ethically permissible for these dramatic cases.
Take 4-5 mg daily of Folic Acid daily throughout your reproductive life, to prevent this from recurring in future pregnancies.

Question 3

what sort of problem is anencephaly?

Accepted Answer

Birth defect: Failure of the brain to develop normally in the fetus.

Question 4

what are the symptoms of anencephaly?

Accepted Answer

None.: The mother usually has no symptoms when she is carrying an anencephalic infant, however this is a lethal fetal anomaly. Its recurrence in future pregnancies can be prevented with daily use of Folic Acid at 4-5 mg.

Question 5

what are the tests that indicate anencephaly?

Accepted Answer

Anencephaly: Anencephaly is a serious birth defect where the brain does not form and the top of the skull is open. It is an extreme form of a neural tube defect. Tests which can indicate anencephaly are an ultrasound examination. A blood test called msafp can be drawn at 15 weeks also.

Question 6

what is the definition or description of: anencephaly?

Accepted Answer

No brain: It is a serious birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull. Anencephaly can often be diagnosed before birth through an ultrasound examination. There is no cure or standard treatment for anencephaly and the prognosis for patients is death.

Question 7

i'm 15 weeks and they told me that my baby have anencephaly.  i don't know what to do?

Accepted Answer

Terminate pregnancy!: If your diagnosis is unequivocal (as it should be), i would recommend prompt pregnancy termination (uterine evacuation), either with d&e or with labor induction by pharmacological means. This will avoid a medically unnecessary risk to your health and contribute to your emotional and personal health. The more you delay the decision the more risky and costly it becomes. Take Folic Acid 4-5 mg daily!

Question 8

what is the treatment for anencephaly?

Accepted Answer

Termination.: Pregnancy termination as soon as diagnosis is confirmed is the optimal management of fetal anencephaly.

Question 9

what do doctors say when they tell a family the baby has anencephaly>?

Accepted Answer

Hopefully,the truth: The difficulty of transmitting this info to the parents is much less than the sadness & loss the parents will feel when they get the info. Pregnancy is one of life's gambles & up  to 4% have an unexpected event after delivery.Accurate information on how/why/recurrence risks are all part of the problem management. Either the OB or a geneticist /counselor should fill in the blanks.

Question 10

what are the chances of someone with type 1 having a baby with anencephaly?

Accepted Answer

Slight increased: There is a slight increase in anencephaly with type 1 diabetes. The major factor for this and other neural tube defects is Folic Acid deficiency. Type 1 diabetes uncontrolled can also lead to a large number and variety of other birth defects.

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What is anencephaly?

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What sort of problem is anencephaly?

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What are the symptoms of anencephaly?

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What are the tests that indicate anencephaly?

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What is the definition or description of: anencephaly?

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I'm 15 weeks and they told me that my baby have anencephaly. i don't know what to do?

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What is the treatment for anencephaly?

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What do doctors say when they tell a family the baby has anencephaly>?

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What are the chances of someone with type 1 having a baby with anencephaly?

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