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Anencephaly
Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Anencephalyis not the name you expected.
Disorder Subdivisions
- None
General Discussion
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.
Resources
Abiding Hearts
705 14th Street
Butte
MT
59701
USA
Tel: (406)782-4894
Fax: (406)587-7197
TDD: (800)223-3131
abidinghearts@yahoo.comNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda
MD
20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
800: (800)352-9424
braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
31 Center Dr
Building 31, Room 2A32
MSC2425
Bethesda
MD
20892
Tel: (301)496-5133
Fax: (301)496-7101
http://www.nih.gov/hichd/
Birth Defect Research for Children
930 Woodcock Rd
Suite 225
Orlando
FL
32803
USA
Tel: (407)895-0802
Fax: (407)895-0824
staff@birthdefects.org
http://www.birthdefects.org
MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay
WI
54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
800: (877)336-5333
mums@netnet.net
http://www.netnet.net/mums/
Infants Remembered In Silence, Inc. (IRIS)
101 Third Street NW
Faribault
MN
55021
Tel: (507)334-4748
Fax: (507)334-4748
iris@qwestoffice.net
http://www.irisRemembers.com
For a Complete Report:
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 1/23/2009
Copyright 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1999, 2002, 2009 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders
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