Alteration in facial shape in the anencephalic human foetus

Area of Science:

• Medical imaging
• Developmental biology
• Teratology

Background:

• Anencephaly is a severe neural tube defect characterized by the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp.
• Understanding the craniofacial morphology in anencephaly is crucial for prenatal diagnosis and understanding developmental pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze and compare the craniofacial features of anencephalic fetuses with normal fetal development using frontal radiographs.
• To identify characteristic radiographic differences in anencephalic fetal skull morphology.

Main Methods:

• Frontal radiographs of 11 anencephalic fetuses were analyzed.
• Tracings were compared analytically with standards derived from 60 normal fetuses.

Main Results:

• Anencephalic fetuses exhibited a reduced cranial size and flattened calvarium.
• Orbits were medially placed, higher, and closer together compared to normal fetuses.
• Mandibles were elongated, with increased intermaxillary space and medially positioned condyles.

Conclusions:

• Anencephaly leads to distinct craniofacial alterations, including a smaller cranium, altered orbit position, and facial lengthening.
• The lack of normal brain expansion in anencephaly results in abnormal rotation of the nasomaxillary segment and cranial base.
• These findings highlight significant deviations in craniofacial development associated with anencephaly.