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Anencephaly Press Releases: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Dozens of investigators studying nearly 300 individuals from 44 families nationwide have narrowed down the hunt for genes
that may cause such birth defects as spina bifida and Anencephaly.
MedlinePlus
Medical Encyclopedia: Anencephaly
Anencephaly is one of the most common neural tube defects. Neural tube defects are birth defects that affect the tissue that grows into the spinal cord and brain. Anencephaly occurs early in the development of an unborn baby. It results when the upper part of the neural tube fails to close. Why this happens is not known. Possible causes include environmental toxins and low intake of folic acid during pregnancy.
ClinicalTrials.gov - Information on Clinical Trials and Human Research Studies: Trial List
Anencephaly; Spina Bifida; Neural Tube Defect
MedlinePlus: Neural Tube Defects
Neural tube defects are birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. The two most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and Anencephaly. In spina bifida, the fetal spinal column doesn't close completely during the first month of pregnancy. There is usually nerve damage that causes at least some paralysis of the legs. In Anencephaly, much of the brain does not develop. Babies with Anencephaly are either stillborn or die shortly after birth.
Folic Acid, NCBDDD, CDC
Folic Acid, NCBDDD, CDC
Spina Bifida and Anencephaly Prevalence --- United States, 1991--2001
A 23% decline occurred in neural tube defects (spina bifida and Anencephaly combined) in 2001, compared with 1996; births in 1996 were conceived before folic acid fortification was authorized. The prevalence of spina bifida reported on birth certificates declined from 24.88 (95% CI = 23.25--26.52) per 100,000 live births in 1991 to 20.09 (95% CI = 18.63--21.54) in 2001 ( Table , Figure ). The birth prevalences for 1999, 2000, and 2001 were significantly lower than in 1996 (pre-fortification). The 2001 prevalence was 24% lower than the prevalence in 1996; after a significant increase in the prevalence during 1992--1995, a significant decline occurred during 1995--1998. The birth prevalence of spina bifida was stable during 1999--2001. The prevalence of Anencephaly reported on birth certificates declined from 18.38 (95% CI = 16.97--19.78)
Anencephaly and spina bifida X-linked
The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database contains genetics resources that discuss Anencephaly and spina bifida X-linked. Click on the link to go to OMIM and review these resources.
Encephalocele anencephaly
Encephalocele Anencephaly
Anencephaly Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Anencephaly is a defect in the closure of the neural tube during fetal development. The neural tube is a narrow channel that
folds and closes between the 3rd and 4th weeks of pregnancy to form the brain and spinal cord of the embryo. Anencephaly occurs
when the "cephalic" or head end of the neural tube fails to close, resulting in the absence of a major portion of the brain,
skull, and scalp. Infants with this disorder are born without a forebrain (the front part of the brain) and a cerebrum (the
thinking and coordinating part of the brain). The remaining brain tissue is often exposed--not covered by bone or skin. A
baby born with Anencephaly is usually blind, deaf, unconscious, and unable to feel pain. Although some individuals with Anencephaly
may be born with a rudimentary brain stem, the lack of a functioning cerebrum permanently rules out the possibility of ever
gaining consciousness. Reflex actions such as breathing and responses to sound or touch may occur.
The cause of Anencephaly is unknown. Although it is thought that a mother's diet and vitamin intake may play a role, scientists
believe that many other factors are also involved.
Endocrine Studies in Anencephaly
Endocrine Studies in Anencephaly
NIH Guide: ESTABLISHMENT OF A RESEARCH RESOURCE FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANENCEPHALY
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health, intends to solicit proposals for the purpose of establishing a research resource to identify factors that independently or through interaction(s) with genetic factors, foster the development of Anencephaly. Anencephaly, is a neurulation cranial defect in which the skull bones, forebrain, and cerebrum are partially or totally absent. Part 1 of the project, the design and planning phase, will take approximately one year to complete. Part 2 of the project, the recruitment phase, will take approximately four years to complete. The major tasks in this study are to: (1) recruit up to 500 family triads at a rate of 125 family triads per year (father, mother, baby) in which the mother is carrying or has had an anencephalic baby (only fetal cadaveric tissue obtained following an elective abortion, from a stillborn baby or after the baby dies if liveborn, will be used in this study); (2) collect fresh tissue from the anencephalic fetuses and use this to isolate DNA and, if possible, to establish cell lines; (3) collect blood from the parents, and if available also from the siblings, and isolate DNA, plasma and serum from the blood; (4) measure RBC folate levels in the mother's blood; (5) create and administer a comprehensive questionnaire to collect epidemiological data from the parents; (6) enter sample tracking and other data into a central database using the internet, and (7) after isolating DNA and establishing cell lines from the triads' blood and tissues, the contractor(s) will aliquot and freeze all DNA, plasma and serum aliquots, and cell lines, and ship these to the niehs or a designated archive. These samples will at a later date be assayed for genetic polymorphisms and levels of potential toxicants associated with increased risks for Anencephaly. (The fetal tissue collected under this contract will not be used for the derivation of human
Energy Citations Database (ECD) - - Document #99077
Anencephaly is relatively frequent in Jews originating from Iran, in particular when its incidence is compared to that of open spina bifida in the same population (12 cases of Anencephaly out of 14 cases of neural tube defects). The high incidence of this disorder in Iranian Jews, a relatively isolated community with a very high rate of consanguinity, suggests that Anencephaly is caused by a major recessive gene. This possibility is supported by the sex ratio among these patients, which was significantly different from that observed for patients with Anencephaly in other populations. 10 refs.
Reproductive Health: Pesticides and Anencephaly
Reproductive Health: Pesticides and Anencephaly
Birth Defects among Vietnam Veterans' Children
"Anencephaly is marked by the incomplete development of the skull
"Anencephaly: Agent Orange Implications?"
"Anencephaly: Agent Orange Implications?"
NTP-CERHR: Common Concerns - Folic Acid
The neural tube defects that folic acid can prevent, including spina bifida and Anencephaly, are among the most serious and frequently occurring birth defects. Spina bifida occurs when the fetus spinal column does not close to protect the spinal cord; this closure should happen within the first few weeks of the pregnancy. Spina bifida causes neurological problems and sometimes, varying levels of mental retardation. Anencephaly is a condition in which the baby s brain does not develop properly and most or all of the brain tissue is absent. Anencephaly results in either stillbirth or death soon after delivery.
womenshealth.gov web site search results
... daily. Breast-feeding women need 500 micrograms daily. Women who have had a baby with certain birth defects -- such as spina bifida or Anencephaly -- and who want to have another baby should check with their doctor. These women may need as much as 4,000 micrograms of folic acid per day. Women who ...
ABDMP: Local and National Resources: Anencaphaly
Provides
immediate and ongoing support to families whose infants have been diagnosed with
Anencephaly.
January 1996 VOL
The high cost of NTDs is displayed in Table 3. From the 1993 and 1994 hospital patient abstract data sets, the charges for newborn and infant Missouri resident discharges with NTDs noted were obtained and contrasted to discharges for all other newborn and infant discharges. This latter group includes normal, healthy infants and infants with other birth defects or other health conditions, such as those related to prematurity. Because Anencephaly is a fatal condition, and liveborn anencephalic infants generally die within a few hours of birth, the costs associated with their care are very low (mean=$728). Spina bifida, however, generally requires extensive medical and surgical care. There were 55 liveborn newborn discharges and 119 transfer and re-admission discharges noting spina bifida; the charges associated with these discharges averaged $60,724 per newborn, in contrast to average charges of $4,812 for all other infants. These charges represent only charges for inpatient hospital care in the first year of life; physician fees, outpatient care, and hospital care after the first birthday, as well as non-medical expenses, are not included.
womenshealth.gov - Publication Catalog Search Results
Spina Bifida and Anencephaly Prevalence --- United States, 1991-2001 This report reviews data reported to CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) regarding spina bifida and Anencephaly prevalence for live births in the United States during 1991--2001. STATISTICS/ DEMOGRAPHICS,SPINA BIFIDA details
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