Congenital conditions
Encephalocele
Anencephaly
Definition
This is a severe defect in which the vault of the skull and the cerebral hemispheres fail to develop during the embryonic stage.
Definition
This is the defect where by the meninges and other parts of the brain protrude though a defect in the back of the skull.
Cause
cause may be related to gene or chromosome changes. In most cases, the baby’s parents have no family history of anencephaly.
Clinical manifestations
Neurologic problems
Hydrocephalus
Microcephaly (an abnormally small head)
Ataxia (uncoordinated muscle movement)
Developmental delay
Vision problems
Mental and growth retardation
Seizures.
Causes
Failure of the neural tube to close completely during fetal development
Ethnic, genetic, and environmental factors, as well as parental age, can all affect the likelihood of encephaloceles
Nursing management
encephaloceles are caused by failure of the neural tube to close completely during fetal development.
Teach the mothers that the role of Folic Acid is very important in every neural tube defects therefore emphasizing this to pregnant woman and those who are planning to get pregnant is very crucial.
Encourage them to take foods rich in folic acid.
An adequate prenatal check-up must be complied to provide proper evaluation of the growth and development of the fetus.
Nursing management
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Encourage compliance to pre-natal check-ups.
Include in the diet foods that are rich in folic acid (cereal, white bread, cooked okra, juice and etc).
Have a regular ultrasound check-up.
Listen to the concerns of the pregnant woman about what she is undergoing.
poor reflexes
folding of the ears
missing parts of the skull