![]() If you are pregnant or could get pregnant, take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. Getting enough folic acid before and during early pregnancy can help prevent neural tube defects, such as anencephaly. Anencephaly might also be caused by a combination of genes and other factors, such as the things the mother comes in contact with in the environment or what the mother eats or drinks, or certain medicines she uses during pregnancy. Some babies have anencephaly because of a change in their genes or chromosomes. The causes of anencephaly among most infants are unknown. Researchers estimate that about 1 in every 4,600 babies is born with anencephaly in the United States. How Many Babies are Born with Anencephaly? The remaining parts of the brain are often not covered by bone or skin. This often results in a baby being born without the front part of the brain (forebrain) and the thinking and coordinating part of the brain (cerebrum). ![]() As the neural tube forms and closes, it helps form the baby’s brain and skull (upper part of the neural tube), spinal cord, and back bones (lower part of the neural tube).Īnencephaly happens if the upper part of the neural tube does not close all the way. It is a type of neural tube defect (NTD). ![]() Click here to view a larger image What is anencephaly?Īnencephaly is a serious birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull.
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