Q: Can a baby survive encephalocele?
A: Encephaloceles are not always fatal. Some babies survive. Encephaloceles with brain tissue in the sac and those present on the back side of the skull have a bad prognosis.
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Q: Is encephalocele genetic?
A: The exact reason is not known. It is observed in patients with family history of neural tube defects like spina bifida and anencephaly thus indicating a possible genetic involvement
Q: What are the risks in pregnancy when the fetus has an encephalocele?
A: The risk of miscarriage is high. 21% of fetuses with encephalocele can only survive till birth. The chance of caesarean section is high when the head is large due to encephalocele.
