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BMJ Paediatrics Open Dec 2022
Topics: Humans; Folic Acid; Anencephaly; Spinal Dysraphism; Food, Fortified
PubMed: 36645786
DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2022-001745 -
Journal of Craniofacial Genetics and... 1990Anencephaly patients are of renewed interest because they are regarded as a potential source of organ donation. While there has been a longstanding scientific curiosity... (Review)
Review
Anencephaly patients are of renewed interest because they are regarded as a potential source of organ donation. While there has been a longstanding scientific curiosity on this subject, studies have frequently included such cases as part of the larger spectrum of neural tube defects (NTDs). This paper will discuss some unusual features of anencephaly. Following a review of classification and pathogenesis, associated malformations, growth parameters (organ size and anthropometric measurements), and associations with other entities are discussed. Finally, the relationship of anencephaly to NTDs is presented.
Topics: Abnormalities, Multiple; Anencephaly; Growth; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Neural Tube Defects
PubMed: 2211964
DOI: No ID Found -
The Cornell Veterinarian Jan 1978Anencephaly occurred in four calves and was characterized by cranioschisis, absence of the diencephalon with the cerebral hemispheres and rostral midbrain, various forms...
Anencephaly occurred in four calves and was characterized by cranioschisis, absence of the diencephalon with the cerebral hemispheres and rostral midbrain, various forms of eye defects, and relatively normal development of caudal brain stem, cerebellum and spinal cord. Amorphous dysplastic vestiges of the cerebral tissue protruded into the cranial defects. Morphologic features varied but were essentially similar. The cerebellum was absent in one case. Anencephaly in calves at least those we observed and defined in this study is localized defect confined to the brain, eye and skull. No spinal defect was observed in the calves.
Topics: Anencephaly; Animals; Brain; Cattle; Cattle Diseases
PubMed: 618715
DOI: No ID Found -
The Cornell Veterinarian Apr 1972
Topics: Abnormalities, Multiple; Anencephaly; Animals; Female; Male; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Twins, Conjoined
PubMed: 5023994
DOI: No ID Found -
Prenatal Diagnosis Apr 2006
Topics: Anencephaly; Diseases in Twins; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Multiple
PubMed: 16566036
DOI: 10.1002/pd.1405 -
Birth Defects Research. Part A,... Nov 2012In regions where prenatal screening for anencephaly and spina bifida is widespread, many cases of these defects are diagnosed prenatally. The purpose of this study was... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
In regions where prenatal screening for anencephaly and spina bifida is widespread, many cases of these defects are diagnosed prenatally. The purpose of this study was to estimate the frequency of termination of pregnancy (TOP) following prenatal diagnosis of anencephaly or spina bifida and to investigate factors associated with TOP that might lead to selection bias in epidemiologic studies.
METHODS
We included articles indexed in Medline or Embase between 1990 and May 2012 reporting the frequency of TOP following prenatal diagnosis of anencephaly or spina bifida with English-language abstracts, 20 or more prenatally diagnosed cases, and at least half of the study years in 1990 or later. We summarized the frequency of TOP across studies using random-effects metaanalysis and stratified results by fetal and study characteristics.
RESULTS
Among the 17 studies identified, 9 included anencephaly and 15 included spina bifida. Nine were from Europe, six were from North America, and one each was from South America and Asia. The overall frequency of TOP following prenatal diagnosis was 83% for anencephaly (range, 59-100%) and 63% for spina bifida (range, 31-97%). There were insufficient data to stratify the results for anencephaly; TOP for spina bifida was more common when the prenatal diagnosis occurred at less than 24 weeks' gestation, with defects of greater severity, and in Europe versus North America.
CONCLUSIONS
Because underascertainment of birth defects might be more likely when the pregnancy ends in TOP and TOP is associated with fetal characteristics, selection bias is possible in epidemiologic studies of anencephaly or spina bifida.
Topics: Abortion, Induced; Americas; Anencephaly; Asia; Europe; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Pregnancy; Prenatal Diagnosis; Publication Bias; Spinal Dysraphism
PubMed: 23097374
DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23086 -
The American Journal of Nursing Mar 2016: In the spring of 2012, a nurse in Washington State detected a cluster of babies born with anencephaly-a fatal condition in which infants are born without parts of the... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
: In the spring of 2012, a nurse in Washington State detected a cluster of babies born with anencephaly-a fatal condition in which infants are born without parts of the brain or skull. The resulting investigation initially confirmed a rate of anencephaly between January 2010 and January 2013 of 8.4 per 10,000 live births-more than four times the national average. As of November 2015, cases of anencephaly in Washington State have continued to increase, with the current rate estimated at 9.5 per 10,000 live births. While no distinct cause has yet been determined, neural tube defects-including anencephaly-are known to have multiple causes, including folic acid deficit, genetic variants in the folate pathway, and exposure to a variety of environmental and occupational toxins. This article describes many of these risk factors and explores the findings of Washington's ongoing investigation.
Topics: Anencephaly; Female; Folic Acid Deficiency; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Incidence; Population Surveillance; Prevalence; Washington; White People
PubMed: 26914056
DOI: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000481286.16720.6e -
Journal of the Indian Medical... Apr 1992
Topics: Adolescent; Anencephaly; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Polyhydramnios
PubMed: 1645019
DOI: No ID Found -
Surgical Neurology Feb 1995
Review
Topics: Anencephaly; Clinical Trials as Topic; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Neural Tube Defects; Spinal Dysraphism
PubMed: 7892654
DOI: 10.1016/0090-3019(95)80119-2 -
Midwifery Apr 2019As advances in prenatal diagnosis increasingly enable detection of life-limiting conditions, end-of-life care may start before birth. Termination of these pregnancies...
OBJECTIVE
As advances in prenatal diagnosis increasingly enable detection of life-limiting conditions, end-of-life care may start before birth. Termination of these pregnancies may have been default management, but in the Republic of Ireland, where termination is not a legal option, skilled experience in caring for mothers who continue their pregnancies has developed. This study examines the lived experience of four such mothers.
METHOD
A qualitative study was designed using interpretive phenomenological analysis, which examined the maternal experience of continuing pregnancy with a prenatal diagnosis of anencephaly. Four mothers participated in semi-structured interviews on their experience of pregnancy and delivery of a baby with anencephaly.
RESULTS
A profoundly emotional journey represented an adaptive grieving process, which culminated in rich experiences of transformative growth for all the parents. The parents' relationship with their caregivers facilitated this process and the development of a meaningful parenting relationship with their babies. This positive finding coexists alongside a parallel experience of ongoing deep sense of loss and sadness.
CONCLUSION
Perinatal palliative care for those with a prenatal lethal diagnosis is a positive life experience for some mothers. The role of relationship with healthcare professionals is vital to the process and consideration must be given to a comprehensive multi-disciplinary team approach.
Topics: Adult; Anencephaly; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Ireland; Life Change Events; Love; Palliative Care; Parents; Perinatal Death; Pregnancy; Prenatal Diagnosis; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 30640134
DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2018.12.016