Why is it important to take care of yourself during pregnancy? Read here about the condition anencephaly in babies and how to prevent it.
You can read in this article:
- What is ancephaly and its possible causes?
- How is ancephaly diagnosed?
- How can a baby avoid this disease?
All expectant mothers want their babies to be safe and healthy. We take prenatal vitamins and take good care of ourselves. To prevent complications and illnesses for the baby.
One of the most serious diseases a baby can get is anencephaly.
Anencephaly is a birth defect in which the brain and skull bones do not fully develop while the baby is in the womb.
Because of this, the baby’s brain, particularly its cerebellum, is only partially developed. The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for thinking, movement, and senses including touch, vision, and hearing.
This condition is called a neural tube defect (NTD) . The neural tube is a narrow tube that usually closes as the fetus develops. It forms the brain and spinal cord. It usually closes by the fourth week of pregnancy. If it does not close, it can result in anencephaly.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition. About 75 percent of babies born with anencephaly in the United States are stillborn. Those who survive only live for a few hours or days.
Many cases of pregnancies with neural tube defects also end in miscarriage.
Image from Wikipedia
Causes of anencephaly
There is still no definitive cause for anencephaly.
In some babies, the cause may be related to a change in a gene or chromosome. In most cases, the parents of the baby who has it do not have a family history of this condition.
Maternal exposure to certain environmental toxins, medications, or even foods or drinks may also be linked to anencephaly. However, experts don’t yet know enough about these potential risk factors to issue warnings or guidelines.
Exposure to high temperatures, such as in a sauna, hot tub, or from a high fever , can increase the risk of developing a neural tube defect.
According to The Cleveland Clinic in America, some prescription drugs, including diabetes medications, may increase the risk of anencephaly.
Pregnant women with conditions such as diabetes and obesity have a higher chance of giving birth to children with neural tube defects and anencephaly.
Another important risk factor associated with anencephaly is folic acid deficiency . Not only this, but it can also increase the likelihood of developing other neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
If you have already had a child with anencephaly, the chance that your next child will also have it. Or maybe another neural tube defect increases by four to 10 percent. And if you have had two children with anencephaly, the chance increases by 10 to 13 percent.
How is anencephaly diagnosed?
Image from Freepik
Prenatal tests for anencephaly include the following:
- Blood test
- Amniocentesis – a sample of amniotic fluid is taken and tested for abnormal development. High levels of alpha-fetoprotein and acetylcholinesterase are associated with neural tube defects.
- Ultrasound
- Fetal MRI scan
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a fetal MRI scan can be done at any stage of pregnancy, while prenatal testing should be done between the 14th and 18th week of pregnancy.
In some cases, it may not be immediately detected that the baby has anencephaly until after birth. It may be visible after birth due to the unusual shape of the baby’s head.
The most obvious sign of anencephaly is the absence of a part of the skull. This is usually at the back of the head. Some bones at the front of the skull may also be missing or not formed properly.
Their brains are also not properly developed. Without a healthy cerebellum, the baby cannot survive.
Other signs include folded ears, cleft palate, and weak reflexes. Some babies with anencephaly also have heart problems.
Cure for anencephaly
Unfortunately, there is no cure for anencephaly yet. Babies born with anencephaly usually only survive for a few hours or days.
But in Orlando, Florida, there was a child born with anencephaly, and his life was extended by five years.
Jaxon Buell was born on August 27, 2014 with this condition, in which 80 percent of his brain was underdeveloped. After his birth, Jaxon spent three weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit before his parents brought him home, as doctors said there was nothing more they could do for the baby.
But the baby’s life lasted a few more years. Jaxon passed away in April 2020.
How can anencephaly be prevented?
Although there is no guarantee that you can prevent anencephaly, there are things you can do to reduce the chance that your child will develop it.
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Take plenty of folic acid.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, taking 400 mcg of folic acid every day can help, even if you are not yet pregnant and are just planning to get pregnant.
Image from Freepik
Neural tube defects can occur in the first month of pregnancy. Folic acid is the main micronutrient involved in a baby’s brain development. That’s why it’s so important for a mother to take folic acid during the first trimester of pregnancy or even before she gets pregnant.
If you have had a baby with anencephaly or NTD before, consult your doctor about whether you should increase the folic acid you are taking to more than 400 mcg.
Opioids, which are medications used for seizures, migraines, and bipolar disorder, can also cause NTDs in an unborn baby. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, ask your doctor about the medications you are taking, and try safer alternatives.
To prevent your body temperature from rising too high, avoid going to saunas or using hot tubs if you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant. Also ask your doctor about taking acetaminophen if you have a high temperature.
One of the things that causes complications for the baby is when the mother has diabetes or is overweight while carrying the baby.
As much as possible, keep your body healthy and avoid gaining too much weight during pregnancy and if you are planning to become pregnant.
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Also avoid foods high in sugar and have a healthy lifestyle to avoid developing diabetes. If you already had diabetes before you got pregnant, let your OB-GYN know so you can know how to manage it during pregnancy.
Remember mommies, the safety and health of your baby rests in your hands. So take care of yourself from the moment you find out you’re going to be a mom and even before you get pregnant.
If you have any questions about your pregnancy and the safety of your baby in your womb, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Philippines
