Question 1

when does ancephaly develop? what age should they see it on ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

Absent brain: Most of the major organs have formed by 8-12 weeks so it may be possible to detect some defect at this early age. Certainly with the blood tests for neural tube defects, the fetus is large enough by 18-20 weeks to tell for sure, which is when most fetal anatomy us take place.

Question 2

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 3

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 4

can diabetes in pregnancy cause anencephaly?

Accepted Answer

Diabetes: Insulin dependent diabetes, diabetes type 1, which is poorly controlled in early pregnancy is associated with a higher rate of neural tube defects. Anencephaly is the most extreme form of a neural tube defect.

Question 5

could hair perms cause anencephaly in unborn babies?

Accepted Answer

Dont know: I do not know. I have not heard that. I would suggest though that hair perms contain chemicals that can leach in to the body through the scalp and are in general not beneficial especially if pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Avoid them. Anencephaly has multiple causes and at best chemicals may contribute...Have seen no evidence yet they are causal.

Question 6

does anyone know if anencephaly is a genetic disease?

Accepted Answer

Not genetic: We don't know why anencephaly happens, but it is not genetic.  It may be in part due to a mother not having enough Folic Acid in her diet.

Question 7

what is the difference between spina bifida and anencephaly?

Accepted Answer

Spina Bifida: Is where the spinal cord is not covered at the bottom of the back.  Anencephaly is where a major part of the brain is missing and is not covered by skull.

Question 8

i get little sweaty at night sometimes & im 8wks preg with hx of anencephaly bubs.worried my body temp increase may cause damage to baby? winter here

Accepted Answer

Body temperature: Small fluctuations in body temperature are a normal part of physiology and are not a known cause of fetal abnormalities.

Question 9

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 10

what sort of problem is anencephaly?

Accepted Answer

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

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Ultrasound shows anencephaly

A member asked:

When does ancephaly develop? what age should they see it on ultrasound?

A member asked:

What are the tests that indicate anencephaly?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: anencephaly?

A member asked:

Can diabetes in pregnancy cause anencephaly?

A member asked:

Could hair perms cause anencephaly in unborn babies?

A member asked:

Does anyone know if anencephaly is a genetic disease?

A member asked:

What is the difference between spina bifida and anencephaly?

A member asked:

I get little sweaty at night sometimes & im 8wks preg with hx of anencephaly bubs.worried my body temp increase may cause damage to baby? winter here

A member asked:

What can i do to treat anencephaly?

A member asked:

What sort of problem is anencephaly?

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