Incidental prenatal diagnosis of anencephaly in a fetus of a 32-year-old woman at 32 weeks gestation

Abstract

Introduction: Anencephaly is a congenital central nervous system anomaly associated with absence of the skull vault and normal brain tissue with exposure of intracranial structures to the amniotic fluid. It is not compatible with life, with death occurring in most cases before birth. Genetic mutations, medications and environmental factors are some of the causative factors.

Case Report: Incidental prenatal diagnosis of anencephaly in a fetus of a 32-year-old multiparous woman at 32 weeks gestation is reported. The prenatal diagnosis, mode of delivery and the clinical findings on the fetus are discussed.

Conclusion: The index case highlights the importance of routine antenatal drug compliance especially folate in prevention of neural tube defects and early prenatal ultrasound screening in detection of congenital abnormalities of the central nervous system.