Anencephaly and its associated malformations.

INTRODUCTION

Anencephaly is a serious neural tube defect in which parts of the brain and skull are not developed. But apart from this it is also associated with other malformations which are not related to neural tube in development.

AIM: The present study was undertaken to find the associated congenital malformations in western region of India and establish a aetiological correlation.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The study was conducted using 20 anencephalic fetuses.

RESULTS

Nearly 80% of fetuses had associated malformations. Spina bifida was seen in 9 fetuses and cleft palate in 8. Female fetus with cleft palate had other severe associated gastrointestinal and skeletal malformation.

CONCLUSION

In cases of anencephaly other associated malfor-mations like spina bifida and cleft palate are commonly seen.