anencephaly
Born without brain
Anencephaly is a fatal birth defect in which a baby is born without major portions of the brain and skull.
The condition occurs early in pregnancy when the neural tube—the structure that becomes the brain and spinal cord—fails to close properly.
Infants born with anencephaly typically survive only hours or days after birth.
The condition is often detected during prenatal ultrasounds, leading some parents to choose termination.
Vertebral column fails to close
- neural tube defectCongenital CNS malformation
- congenitalExisting from birth
- malformationAbnormally developed structure
- anomalyDeparture from the expected
B-vitamin preventing birth defects
- folateVitamin for DNA synthesis
- prenatal vitaminsNutrients for expectant mothers
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
- supplementationAdding to something insufficient
Causing or capable of death
- fatalCausing death or ruin
- stillbirthLate-term pregnancy loss
- nonviableIncapable of succeeding
- palliative careRelief-focused medicine for illness
comfort care · hospice · terminal · mortality · birth planning · organ donation
Embryonic nervous system precursor
- ectodermEmbryo's outer cell layer
- embryogenesisFormation of early life
- organogenesisEmbryonic tissue becoming structures
- folic acidB-vitamin preventing birth defects
Inaudible high-frequency waves
- sonogramUltrasound-produced medical image
- prenatal screeningMedical tests before birth
- amniocentesisPrenatal diagnostic fluid extraction
- nuchal translucencyFetal neck-fold thickness assessment
genetic counseling · first trimester · anatomy scan · alpha-fetoprotein · prenatal diagnosis · prognosis · detection · gestational
State following loss
- lossBeing without something
- heartbreakCrushing emotional pain
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
- anguishIntense mental suffering
mourning · support group · counseling · memorial · remembrance · pregnancy loss · carrying to term
spina bifida
Vertebral column fails to close
- neural tube defectCongenital CNS malformation
- congenitalExisting from birth
- malformationAbnormally developed structure
folic acid
B-vitamin preventing birth defects
- folateVitamin for DNA synthesis
- prenatal vitaminsNutrients for expectant mothers
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
supplementation · preconception · B vitamins · enriched flour · prevention
lethal
Causing or capable of death
- fatalCausing death or ruin
- stillbirthLate-term pregnancy loss
- nonviableIncapable of succeeding
palliative care · comfort care · hospice · terminal · mortality · birth planning · organ donation
neural tube
Embryonic nervous system precursor
- ectodermEmbryo's outer cell layer
- embryogenesisFormation of early life
- organogenesisEmbryonic tissue becoming structures
folic acid · gastrulation · rostral · cephalic · developmental
ultrasound
Inaudible high-frequency waves
- sonogramUltrasound-produced medical image
- prenatal screeningMedical tests before birth
- amniocentesisPrenatal diagnostic fluid extraction
nuchal translucency · genetic counseling · first trimester · anatomy scan · alpha-fetoprotein · prenatal diagnosis · prognosis · detection · gestational · obstetric
bereavement
State following loss
- lossBeing without something
- heartbreakCrushing emotional pain
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
anguish · mourning · support group · counseling · memorial · remembrance · pregnancy loss · carrying to term
encephalitis, hydrocephalus, microcephaly, encephalopathy, encephalon