Overview
Anencephaly is a serious birth defect that occurs in the early stages of fetal development. The condition is considered fatal and most babies born with anencephaly will not survive long after birth. Anencephaly can be diagnosed during pregnancy through ultrasound or prenatal testing such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. There is no cure for anencephaly and treatment is focused on providing comfort and support for the baby and family.