“Today we received a difficult diagnosis: anencephaly. What is Anencephaly? Anencephaly is a serious birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull. It happens during early development in pregnancy, usually in the first 3–4 weeks. ⸻ Causes & Risk Factors: • Caused by a failure of the neural tube to close properly. • Exact cause is often unknown, but risk factors can include: • Low folic acid intake before/during early pregnancy • Genetic factors • Environmental exposur

Woman born with no brain turns 20 in medical ‘miracle’ — told she’d never make it to 5

Woman Born Without a Brain Turns 20 After Doctors Believed She Wouldn't Live Past 4 Years Old: 'She's a Fighter'