A malformation of the nervous system caused by failure of the anterior neuropore to close. Infants are born with intact spinal cords, cerebellums, and brainstems, but lack formation of neural structures above this level. The skull is only partially formed but the eyes are usually normal. This condition may be associated with folate deficiency. Affected infants are only capable of primitive (brain stem) reflexes and usually do not survive for more than two weeks. (From Menkes, Textbook of Child Neurology, 5th ed, p247)

DUI

D000757 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0001142

History note

79; was ANENCEPHALUS 1964-78 (Prov 1964-65)

Online note

use ANENCEPHALY to search ANENCEPHALUS 1966-78

Public note

79; was ANENCEPHALUS 1966-78