There are a number of causes for anencephaly, but folic acid deficiency is most common before and during the first few months of pregnancy, although genetic and environmental factors can also be the cause of this important change in the central nervous system.
Some less common causes of anencephaly are:
- use of inappropriate medications during the first month of gestation;
- infections;
- radiation;
- intoxication by chemical substances such as lead, for example;
- use of illicit drugs;
- genetic alterations.
Research has shown that white women with type 1 diabetes are 7 times more likely to have a fetus with anencephaly.
What is anencephaly
Anencephaly is the lack of the brain or part of it in the baby. This is an important genetic alteration, which occurs in the first month of gestation, with failure to close the neural tube that gives rise to important structures of the central nervous system, such as the brain, meninges and the skull cap. As a consequence, the fetus does not develop them.
The baby with anencephaly dies soon after birth or a few hours later, and if parents want, they can opt for abortion if they have the authorization of the supreme court of law, since abortion in case of anencephaly is not allowed in Brazil .
The use of folic acid in pregnancy is of paramount importance to avoid anencephaly. Since this change occurs in the first month of gestation, when most women do not yet know they are pregnant, this supplementation should be started as soon as the woman stops using contraceptive methods for at least 3 months before becoming pregnant .
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