{"id":9757,"date":"2019-08-11T12:24:21","date_gmt":"2019-08-11T12:24:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=9757"},"modified":"2021-04-25T16:52:57","modified_gmt":"2021-04-25T16:52:57","slug":"14-common-symptoms-of-anencephaly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-common-symptoms-of-anencephaly\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common Symptoms of Anencephaly"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Anencephaly is a form of birth defect that primarily affects the formation of the brain and the formation of bone on the skull. Babies that are afflicted with anencephaly have brains that will encounter only minimal development. In most but not all cases, the cerebrum will have large parts missing or it will be missing in its entirety. This part of the brain is extremely significant because it controls touch, vision, movement, and thinking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The condition also results in the skull being formed without a bone cover in the rear portion of the head and in some cases no bone on the front or sides as well. In some patients, the condition may be paired with heart defects, cleft palate and poor or unresponsive reflexes. There is no cure for anencephaly, and a person with an unhealthy cerebellum has a poor survival outlook. Here are the eight most common symptoms of anencephaly to look out for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Abnormal blood screen results <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most pregnant women undergo various blood tests and blood screenings during the course of their pregnancy<\/a>. In the early stages of fetal growth, symptoms of \u00a0Anencephaly can be found during regular screening. Early screening won\u2019t offer an exact diagnosis, however, abnormal results will indicate that there may be some form of a genetic defect in the fetus. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the first trimester, maternal screening can be used to scan for chromosomal abnormalities. During the same time frame, doctors will conduct an ultrasound to check for extra fluid behind the neck. If there is fluid present in these two areas, it could mean that the fetus has some form of congenital heart defect which is often common in those suffering from Anencephaly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the pregnancy progresses, the OB\/GYN may ask for a diagnostic test to be administered. In the event that this test also comes back with abnormal results additional confirmation may be required.
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2. Poor reflexes <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The body has many reflex actions that are governed by the brain<\/a>. Breathing, sound response, and response to touch are just a few common reflexes. Fetus and babies that suffer from Anencephaly have extremely poor or non-existent reflexes. Anencephaly often results in large parts of the brain not developing which is the cause of poor reflex responses in these cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Anencephaly fetuses do not develop a forebrain or a cerebrum while the rest of the brain tissue stays exposed. Because these areas of the brain either don\u2019t form or only partially form, many of these fetuses have little to no sight, sense of touch or even a sense of pain.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In cases where an Anencephaly patient survives past birth, their natural reflexes often never develop. There are rare cases where Anencephaly patients survive, however reflexes remain stunted or poorly developed due to lack of proper brain matter.
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3. High alpha-fetoprotein levels <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many hormones and proteins <\/a>that flood the system during pregnancy. A lack of certain proteins or hormones may signal a problem, just as an elevated amount may be a sign of an anomaly. These protein levels increase and a gradual rate naturally between weeks 14 and 32 of gestation. Illness, genetic defects and neural tube disorders in a fetus can cause these numbers to jump astronomically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a pregnant woman exhibits elevated levels of a certain fetal protein, the alpha-fetoprotein, it may mean that the fetus is afflicted with a genetic defect such as Anencephaly or spina bifida. Doctors test for this fetal protein by sampling the mother’s blood. If abnormal levels are discovered, the amniotic fluid will be tested for further confirmation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many instances high levels of this particular fetal protein cause extra fluid to build in the sac. This fluid can be seen during an ultrasound.
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4. Folded ears <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anencephaly <\/a>is closely tied with several other birth defects, including anotia and microtia. Both symptoms are visually noticeable in ultrasound and at birth. Anotia is the folding or defect that causes the visible exterior part of the ear to not develop or to underdevelop. Microtia is a type of folding defect that makes the visible ear from extra small and in a distorted fashion. Just like with Anencephaly, this symptom develops in the early weeks of gestation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not all forms of folded ears are easily noticeable, but in some cases, it is extremely apparent. The look of the ear is always affected, but in some cases, the actual hearing will remain intact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some patients who suffer from folded ears may be born with a narrow ear canal or will be messing the ear canal completely. There are 4 forms of microtia starting from 1 which is the mildest form ranging to type four which is the most severe.
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5. Missing rear, side, and front skull bones <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Defects of the neural tube such as Anencephaly are passed to the fetus through the genes of both parents. The defect can also be a result of environmental factors. Though Anencephaly may be suspected as a result of blood screens or amniotic testing, it can also be confirmed visually through ultrasound <\/a>or at birth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every instance of Anencephaly results in the lack of formation of the skull in the back of the head. In some cases, the sides and front of the skull also fail to develop. This leaves the brain without protection and in most cases, the child will not survive the birthing process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In cases where there is some bone formation, the skull is not fully formed or may have large obvious holes in the surface. Missing skull bones can be seen in ultrasounds starting from the third month of pregnancy. Anencephaly is always visually notable at birth due to the lack of bones on the skull.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Congenital heart defects <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anencephaly affects many parts of the development of a fetus and in some cases that extends to other systems. Congenital heart <\/a>defects are often found in those suffering from Anencephaly. A congenital heart defect occurs when the blood vessels surrounding the heart or the heart itself fail to properly develop during pregnancy. Congenital heart defects are also one of the most commonly seen forms of birth defects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Anencephaly patients, this defect can cause problems with the heart valves, arteries, and even the heart walls. Although Anencephaly is quickly noticeable, it is not always easy to ascertain if there is a heart defect present. Sometimes congenital heart defects don\u2019t have any symptoms or may not be noticeable until birth or later in life. Often even if a child with Anencephaly is able to survive, they may pass away due to congenital heart defects within a relatively short period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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 7. Cleft Palate<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A cleft lip and a cleft pallet <\/a>are openings in the mouth that resemble a split or crack. These are often formed along the roof of the mouth and extend all the way to the lip and bottom of the nose. Clefts occur as a result of tissue not being developed properly during gestation. It is possible to have a cleft that is only inside of the mouth but doesn\u2019t affect the lip, though it is not common. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anencephaly is a result of the neural tube not forming and closing correctly. As a result of poor brain development often fetuses and babies that are afflicted with Anencephaly also may present with a cleft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cleft lip and cleft palate are very common birth defects that may be a result of genetics or simply chance. Cleft deformities in themselves are not life-threatening and can be corrected with reconstructive surgeries that leave minor scars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Missing brain pieces<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Neural tube defects can come in several forms, one of the most notable symptoms of Anencephaly however is missing parts of the brain. During gestation, the neural tube of the fetus will form and develop into the brain and bone of the skull. This tube will also form the backbones and the spinal cord<\/a>. With Anencephaly, the neural tube fails to finish forming. This results in parts of the brain not developing or under developing. It also prevents the skull bones from forming over the back of the head and sometimes the top and sides as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most fetuses afflicted with Anencephaly develop a cerebrum which is the part of the brain that controls thought and coordination. The forebrain or cerebellum is another part that often fails to develop creating a noticeable space where it belongs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to these parts of the brain being absent, Anencephaly patients often are stillborn or pass away shortly after birth. 
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