Little Known Birth Defect Every Parent Should Know About.

Anencephaly is a birth defect that is caused when the neural tube does not close. As we develop in the uterus, think of our cells as two "C's". As we grow in the womb, these two "C's" turn into an "O", thus forming the top of our heads and our bottoms. In anencephaly, the two "C's" from a "U". Thus leaving the top of the head open. This usually occurs between the 23rd and 26th day of pregnancy.

The ending result is usually the absence of the majority of the brain, skull and scalp. The absence of gray matter is not accurate considering most of these babies have the brain stem but not the front parts of the brain. So these baby mostly do not survive birth, if they do, typically the prognosis is poor and they usually die within a few hours or days after birth. There are very rare cases where the baby has lived three to four months.

There a legal and ethical issues with this type of birth defect. Due to the severity of this defect, if caught soon enough, it is recommended that the pregnancy be terminated. Although some mothers do not choose this option, they try to carry this baby to term. Although there is great concern for the parents emotional state. Genetic counseling is usually offered to these parents and support is given in any way possible by the surrounding doctors and counselors. Some mothers report feeling flu like symptoms during this type of pregnancy. Some patients may experience significant discomfort from the abdominal distention that accompanies this condition. Risk of preterm labor is increased.

Moral issues arise because these babies are typically blind, deaf, unconscious and unable to feel pain. Thus bringing into question terminating a human life. Some of these babies lack a functioning cerebrum so therefore it is improbable that they would ever regain consciousness. They do have what is called Reflex reactions such as moving to sound and breathing. So this gives fuel to the theory of a human soul and faith related issues. Only the parents can make this moral decision.

The cause of this horrific birth defect has been disputed by doctors over the years. Some believe that it is soley a genetic defect and that folic acid has no effect of whether or not a baby develops this defect. While others believe that there is a link between the two.

Whatever the link is, it is agreed upon that if a woman gives birth to a baby with anencephaly has a three percent change of having a second child with a neural tube defect. The chances of having a baby with this defect is 3 births per 1000. There is 1 in 4,859 births in the United States and 859 cases of anencephaly.

The testing that is used to diagnose this defect are:

• Ultrasound
• Amniocentesis
• AFP or (alpha-fetoprotein) testing, a blood test

The CDC has been doing more research on this defect because of number of cases in the U.S.. They have been collecting data from mothers that have had a baby with this defect and finding out what they are doing before, during and after pregnancy. They are testing genes to see which ones could possibly be responsible. There is also the March of Dimes and the Spina Bifida Association are also involved in studying this neural tube defect.

Websites to gather more information on this neural tube defect:

• http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org
• http://emedicine.medscape.com
• http://www.marchforbabies.org

• Low intake of folic acid before getting pregnant.
• There has been a 27 percent drop in anencephaly cases since the U.S. began fortifying grains with folic acid.
• Babies born to Hispanic mothers are at an increased risk for anencephaly. Reasons for the increased risk among Hispanic mothers are not understood.
• Maternal diabetes, maternal obesity, mycotoxins in contaminated corn meal, arsenic, and hyperthermia in early development have been identified as stressors that increase the risk of neural tube defects, including anencephaly.
• A chromosomal abnormality, it may be part of a more complex process involving single-gene defects or disruption of the amniotic membrane.
• Smoking or Drinking during pregancy.
• Some kinds of antidepressants have been known to cause this defect