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Medical Health Encyclopedia
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Ultrasound, normal fetus - ventricles of brain
Ultrasound, normal fetus - ventricles of brain


Anencephaly

Alternative Names:

Aprosencephaly with open cranium

Symptoms:

In the mother:

  • If there is too much fluid is in the uterus, this often suggests a problem with the pregnancy. This condition, called polyhydramnios, is seen before birth.
In the infant:
  • Absence of the skull
  • Absence of the brain (cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum)
  • Facial feature abnormalities
  • Heart defects
Text Continues Below



Signs and tests:

The following tests can help identify anencephaly:

  • Prepregnancy serum folic acid test
  • Amniocentesis (done on the mother to determine if increased levels of alpha-fetoprotein are present)
  • Alpha-fetoprotein levels during pregnancy (increased levels suggest a neural tube defect)
  • Urine estriol levels during pregnancy
  • Ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis


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