Anencephaly is a rare genetic defect that causes the baby to be born without some parts of the brain and skull.
According to the CDC, anencephaly occurs when the upper part of the neural tube doesn’t fully close.
The part of the brain that is most often affected is the cerebrum, which is the coordinating and thinking part of the brain.
One cause of anencephaly is folic acid deficiency during pregnancy. Anencephaly occurs in 3 out of 10,000 pregnancies, and there is no treatment.
In India, Khalida Begum, 35, gave birth to a baby with anencephaly.
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This baby also had some hallmark features of another rare genetic disease called Harlequin Ichthyosis (resulting in deformed features and thick skin).
According to the National Institutes of Health, Harlequin Ichthyosis results in large diamond-shaped plates of skin.
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The plates are separated by fissures (deep cracks) which can restrict movement.
Children born with harlequin ichthyosis have a harder time regulating their body temperatures, fighting infections, and controlling water loss.
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The exact rate of Harlequin ichthyosis is not known, but it is very rare.
At present, there is no cure for harlequin ichthyosis, but it can be managed.
Khalida, a mother of four, was shocked and saddened to see the child. She didn’t want to see him at all.
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After a few hours, she began to breastfeed the baby.
Villagers have been coming to see the child, they believe he is the incarnation of the Hindu monkey God Hanuman.
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