ABSTRACT
To determine the prevalence, establish diagnosis and management of anencephaly. Design: A prospective cross sectional study done over a period of one year [01.06.1999 to 31.05.2000]. Setting; Antenatal ward of Obstetric and Gynaecology Unit-II, Punjab Medical College, Divisional Headquarter Hospital [DHQ], Faisalabad. Thirteen pregnant ladies having fetuses with neural tube defect [NTD] admitted in antenatal ward of DHQ Hospital. Main outcome measures: Prevalence of anencephaly diagnosis, establishing any risk factor and possible causative factors. Prevalence of anencephaly was 3.2 per 1000 births and that of spina bifida 2 per 1000 births, 100% anencephalic and 80% infants of spinabifida were diagnosed by ultrasonography. 62% cases underwent termination of pregnancy through vaginal route. Maternal diabetes was found in 12% cases. Female sex was predominant in anencephalic fetuses [61.50%]. Improved maternity services, with facilities for prenatal diagnostic techniques for detection of anencephaly and early termination of affected fetuses can help curtail this congenital anomaly with its associated perinatal mortality. Prevalence can be decreased by giving folic acid supplementation before pregnancy and in first trimester