Clinical Characteristics of Pregnant Women with Anencephalic Fetuses in Srinagarind Hospital and Problems in Management

Abstract

Retrospective study of pregnant women with anencephalic fetuses in Srinagarind hospital from July 1977 to December 1987 revealed the total of 28 cases. The incidence of anencephalic fetus was 1 L776 births. Maternal age ranged from 19-38 years with the majority between 26-30 years, in gravida 1 and parity 0. All of the patients had attended antenatal care and most of them were private cases, Thai ethic and lived in KhonKaen Province. The gestational ages at the times of termination of pregnancy varied widely. Prenatal diagnosis of these anmalies could be made in only 46.4% of the patients by using radiographic examination in the majority of cases. The cesarean cases were unable to diagnose rate in these patients was 21.4%. All of the cesarean cases were unable to diagnose prenatally due to unawareness of this condition. The most common obstetric complication was polyhydrammios. Female to male ratio was 1 : 1.45. The biggest anencephalic fetus weighed 3,370 grams. Some of anencephalic fetuses also had another associated anomalies.