What causes anencephaly?

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What causes anencephaly?

Anencephaly doesn’t appear to be inherited (passed down in families). In most cases, it occurs without any family history of the condition. But if you’ve had a child with a neural tube defect (NTD) before, you have a higher chance of having a baby with anencephaly.

A combination of environmental factors, genes and nutrition during pregnancy likely causes anencephaly. Certain drugs and risk factors increase the chance of having a baby with anencephaly or another NTD, including:

  • Lack of folic acid: Women who don’t get enough folic acid (vitamin B9) when they’re pregnant have a higher risk of having a baby with anencephaly. Women should take a prenatal vitamin with 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid before and during pregnancy.
  • Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of NTDs. It causes blood glucose levels (sugar in the blood) to get too high and harm your baby’s development.
  • High body temperature: Having a fever or using a hot tub or sauna during early pregnancy can increase your risk of having a baby with an NTD.
  • Medications: Anti-seizure drugs such as phenytoin (Dilantin®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®) and valproic acid (Depakote®) can cause NTDs. Some of these drugs also treat migraines and bipolar disorder.
  • Obesity: Women who carry excess weight before pregnancy have a higher chance of having a baby with anencephaly or another NTD.
  • Opioid use: Taking opioids during the first two months of pregnancy can cause NTDs. Opioids include heroin (an illegal drug) and prescription painkillers such as hydrocodone.

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