Do you know how particular the sculptors are with their work? There are sculptors who could bring their statuses to life, but that can only happen if every part was perfectly made. If anything was missing, the statue couldn’t come to life (not literally, of course). Similarly, in anencephaly, because the brain and skull did not fully form during pregnancy, the baby cannot survive.
Anencephaly is a birth defect that causes the baby to be born without important parts of the brain, skull, and scalp. This condition usually happens early in pregnancy when the neural tube, which grows into the brain and spinal cord, doesn’t close as it should. Anencephaly is caused by not having enough folic acid in the body during pregnancy. Alongside that, genetics and some environmental factors can make the condition more likely. Unfortunately, babies with anencephaly don’t survive. So we’re going to look at how to diagnose this condition early and how to prevent it.
Diagnosis and Prenatal Screening
There are different tests the doctors use to check if a baby has anencephaly. The first main method is prenatal ultrasound. An ultrasound is a safe test that uses sound waves to create images of the baby inside the womb. During the scan, the doctors will look closely at the baby’s brain and skull. If parts of the brain or skull are missing or not forming correctly, this could mean the baby has anencephaly. This test is done in the second trimester, which is around 18-20 weeks.
A second method is maternal serum screening. For this test, a simple blood test is taken from the mother. This checks for chemicals in the blood, such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). If the AFP level is very high, it could mean that there’s a problem with the baby’s brain or the spine. However, this test doesn’t confirm the condition. It basically gives doctors a reason to do more detailed tests.
Next is the amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS). These are more advanced tests that allow the doctor to give a clear diagnosis. For amniocentesis, a small amount of the fluid surrounding the baby (amniotic fluid) is taken using a fluid needle. This fluid is tested for genetic issues or any signs of neural tube defects like anencephaly.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS), on the other hand, a tiny piece of tissue is taken from the placenta. That way, the doctor can use the piece of tissue to check for genetic problems. Both of the tests are invasive, meaning they involve going into the womb, which carry a small risk of complications. That’s why these tests are only done if needed for a clear diagnosis.
Management and Treatment of Anencephaly
This condition is highly fatal but there are ways to manage the condition and provide support for both the baby and parents.
Palliative Care
Since babies with anencephaly usually don’t live long after birth, doctors focus on making the baby as comfortable as possible. The doctors reduce pain, make sure the baby is warm and safe.
If the baby feels any pain, doctors give medication to help reduce this pain. They make sure the baby doesn’t get infections, which could be of more harm to them. The point of this is all about keeping the baby safe and comfortable during their short life.
Ethical Considerations
When a baby has anencephaly, parents often have to make hard decisions about how to care for their baby. It’s mostly between deciding how much medical treatment to pursue and when to let their baby pass away peacefully. These decisions are very difficult, but they’re part of the process.
Parents who are facing the challenges of having a baby with anencephaly, or losing their baby due to anencephaly, can benefit a lot from counseling and support. Talking with a professional may not be something both parents would want after their loss, but over time looking into this as one of their coping strategies can do them a lot of good.
Talking to a professional can help the parents understand the condition, cope with their emotions, and make decisions that feel right to them.
Prevention and Public Health
To be honest, there’s no way to prevent every case of anencephaly. But there are steps women can take to lower the chances of this birth defect.
Folic Acid Supplementation: Folic acid is a type of vitamin that helps to prevent problems with the brain and spine during pregnancy. Women who are planning on getting pregnant should take 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid everyday. You can start at least one month before becoming pregnant and continue through the first trimester of pregnancy. This is the time when the neural tube is developing, so you need to have enough folic acid in the body to help the neural tube close properly.
Campaigns: Public health programs, like education programs, help to spread the word about the benefits of folic acid and early prenatal care. Public health programs help teach women about the importance of taking folic acid before and during pregnancy and how it affects the development of a healthy baby. Also, women should have access to prenatal care early in their pregnancy. Having regular visits to a doctor would allow for check-ups on the health of both the mother and the baby. This will allow the doctor to identify problems early and give families the support they need to make informed decisions about their pregnancy.
Conclusion
Anencephaly happens when the neural tube, which forms the brain and spine, doesn’t close properly early in pregnancy. It can be caused by not having enough folic acid, genetic issues, or certain environmental factors. Sadly, babies with anencephaly usually don’t survive for long after birth.
Doctors can find out if a baby has anencephaly by doing tests like ultrasounds, blood tests, and other more advanced procedures. There is no cure for anencephaly, but doctors can make the baby as comfortable as possible by giving pain relief and preventing infections. There’s no way to prevent every case, but taking folic acid before and during pregnancy and getting early check-ups can help lower the chances of the condition.
