Anencephaly Definition, Causes & More
Article Sources
- 1. 'Facts about Anencephaly.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 Dec. 2020, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/anencephaly.html.
- 2. 'Facts about Anencephaly.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 Dec. 2020, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/anencephaly.html.
- 3. 'Anencephaly: MedlinePlus Genetics.' MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Aug. 2020. medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/anencephaly/#synonyms.
- 4. 'Anencephaly.' Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment for Newborns | St. Louis Childrens Hospital, www.stlouischildrens.org/conditions-treatments/anencephaly.
- 5. 'Anencephaly: Neural Tube Defect, Birth Defect, Causes, Prevention.' Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15032-anencephaly.
2. Will the Baby Be in Pain?
Babies with anencephaly cannot feel pain. There may be automatic reflexes when the baby is touched or held, but they don’t come with sensations.2‘Facts about Anencephaly.’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 Dec. 2020, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/anencephaly.html.
Many parents are understandably afraid that their baby is in pain or distressed, but the parts of the brain that allow people to feel pain and fear don’t develop for a baby with anencephaly. The baby will likely not be aware and will not be in any pain or discomfort during the end of their life.5‘Anencephaly: Neural Tube Defect, Birth Defect, Causes, Prevention.’ Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15032-anencephaly.
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