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Maternal hyperthermia as a possible cause of anencephaly
Mothers of anencephalic infants were asked about febrile illness and sauna bathing during their pregnancies. In 7 of 63 affected pregnancies (11%), a history of maternal hyperthermia near the presumed time of anterior neural-groove closure was given. 5 had fever with a maximum recorded temperature ranging from 38.9 to 40.0 degrees C, each case being secondary to a different type of illness. The other 2 had possible hyperthermia episodes as a consequence of sauna bathing, with no infectious agent involved. The frequencies of hyperthermia at the same period of gestation in two control groups were 0% and 0.1%. This excess frequency of maternal hyperthermia at the period of anterior neural-groove closure, and the differing natures of its causes, imply that hyperthermia itself may be an aetiological factor in anencephaly.
Mothers of anencephalic infants were asked about febrile illness and sauna bathing during their pregnancies. In 7 of 63 affected pregnancies (11%), a history of maternal hyperthermia near the presumed time of anterior neural-groove closure was given. 5 had fever with a maximum recorded temperature ranging from 38.9 to 40.0 degrees C, each case being secondary to a different type of illness. The other 2 had possible hyperthermia episodes as a consequence of sauna bathing, with no infectious agent involved. The frequencies of hyperthermia at the same period of gestation in two control groups were 0% and 0.1%. This excess frequency of maternal hyperthermia at the period of anterior neural-groove closure, and the differing natures of its causes, imply that hyperthermia itself may be an aetiological factor in anencephaly.