Prolonged survival of two anencephalic infants
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Published on: November 20, 2015
G McAbee1, J Sherman, J A Canas
1Department of Neurology, Nassau County Medical Center, State University of New York, Stony Brook.
Insights
Anencephaly infants can survive longer than expected without mechanical ventilation. This prolonged survival is crucial for accurate diagnosis, counseling, and potential organ donation in anencephalic infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Developmental Biology
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Anencephaly is a severe congenital anomaly characterized by the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp.
- Historically, infants with anencephaly have had very short survival times, often necessitating intensive respiratory support.
- The Medical Task Force on Anencephaly established criteria to aid in diagnosis and prognosis.
Observation:
- Two infants diagnosed with anencephaly exhibited prolonged survival.
- One infant met all diagnostic criteria set by the Medical Task Force on Anencephaly.
- Neither infant required extended mechanical ventilation support.
Findings:
- Infants with anencephaly can survive for extended periods, specifically 7 and 10 months in these cases.
- Survival was achieved without the need for prolonged mechanical ventilation, challenging previous assumptions.
- The case highlights the possibility of achieving significant survival duration in anencephalic neonates.
Implications:
- Prolonged survival in anencephaly provides critical time for parental counseling and decision-making.
- Extended survival has significant implications for the potential consideration of organ donation from anencephalic infants.
- These findings may necessitate a re-evaluation of management strategies and prognostication for anencephaly.
Abstract:
Two infants with anencephaly survived for 7 and 10 months without the need for prolonged assisted mechanical ventilation. One infant prospectively fulfilled all four criteria of the Medical Task Force on Anencephaly, making diagnosis almost certain. Prolonged survival of anencephalic infants is important not only to provide adequate counseling, but also for its relevance to organ transplantation.