06/04/2026
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Anencephaly is a severe and fatal birth defect where a baby is born missing parts of the brain and skull. It is a type of neural tube defect (NTD) that occurs very early in pregnancy—usually within the first month—when the upper part of the neural tube fails to close properly.
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
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Key Characteristics
Physical Absence: Infants with this condition are typically missing the forebrain (the thinking part of the brain) and the cerebrum. The remaining brain tissue is often exposed because the skull bones did not form.
Sensory Impact: Most babies born with anencephaly are blind, deaf, and unconscious.
Prognosis: The condition is always fatal. Many pregnancies end in miscarriage or stillbirth; babies born alive usually die within a few hours or days.