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Anencephaly

Anencephaly is a condition in which a fetus forms with a partially formed brain and spinal cord. A child with this condition is stillborn or dies shortly after birth.

Anencephaly can be detected with prenatal tests, such as ultrasound and amniocentesis. If a woman learns that she is pregnant with a fetus that has anencephaly, termination of the pregnancy is usually offered.

Author Sandy Jocoy, RN
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Marshall, MD
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Siobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH
- Reproductive Genetics
Last Updated May 20, 2008

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 20, 2008
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