Friday Facts! Anecephaly

Welcome to Friday Facts! here on the Knowledge Safari blog. Each week we aim to shine the spotlight on various segments of special needs in order to raise awareness and provide information. Today we focus on Anencephaly.

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Anencephaly is a disorder involving the incomplete development of major parts of the brain. Anencephaly is classified as a neural tube defect (NTD), and that term refers to the incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or their protective coverings. The neural tube is a narrow sheath that is supposed to fold and to close during the third and fourth weeks of pregnancy, in order to form the brain and spinal cord of the embryo. Anencephaly occurs when the head (cephalic) end of this neural tube fails to close, resulting in the failure of major portions of brain, skull and scalp to form.Infants with anencephaly are born without both a forebrain (the front part of the brain) and a cerebrum (the thinking and coordinating part of the brain). Often the remaining rudimentary brain tissue may be exposed, without the protective covering of either bone or skin. Although reflex actions such as breathing and responses to touch or sound may occur, gaining consciousness is almost invariably ruled out.

Birth Defect Research for Children, Inc.800 Celebration Ave, Suite 225Orlando FL 34747Phone #: 407-566-8304800 #: --e-mail: staff@birthdefects.orgHome page: http://www.birthdefects.org