Iniencephaly

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Iniencephaly
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Neck hyperextension, Occipital bone defect, Spina bifida
Complications	Stillbirth, Neonatal death
Onset	Congenital
Duration	Lifelong
Types	N/A
Causes	Genetic mutations, Environmental factors
Risks	Maternal diabetes, Folic acid deficiency
Diagnosis	Prenatal ultrasound, MRI
Differential diagnosis	Anencephaly, Encephalocele
Prevention	Folic acid supplementation
Treatment	Supportive care
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Poor
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Iniencephaly is a rare and severe type of neural tube defect characterized by extreme retroflexion (backward bending) of the head combined with severe distortion of the spine. This congenital malformation is often incompatible with life.

Presentation

Iniencephaly is typically identified at birth due to its distinctive physical features. The most notable characteristic is the extreme retroflexion of the head, where the face looks upward. The skin of the face is connected directly to the chest, and the scalp is connected to the back. This condition is often associated with other anomalies such as anencephaly, encephalocele, and spina bifida.

Pathophysiology

The exact cause of iniencephaly is not well understood, but it is believed to result from a failure of the neural tube to close properly during the early stages of embryonic development. This defect occurs around the third to fourth week of pregnancy. The malformation involves the occipital bone, cervical vertebrae, and sometimes the upper thoracic vertebrae.

Diagnosis

Iniencephaly can be diagnosed prenatally through ultrasound imaging, which can reveal the characteristic retroflexion of the head and associated spinal abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be used to provide a more detailed view of the fetal anatomy.

Prognosis

The prognosis for iniencephaly is extremely poor. Most affected infants are stillborn or die shortly after birth due to severe complications, including respiratory failure and other vital organ malformations.

Epidemiology

Iniencephaly is an extremely rare condition, with an estimated incidence of 0.1 to 10 per 10,000 live births. It affects females more frequently than males.

Management

There is no cure for iniencephaly, and treatment options are limited. Prenatal diagnosis allows for early counseling and decision-making for the parents. In cases where the condition is detected early, parents may opt for termination of the pregnancy.

See also

• Neural tube defect
• Anencephaly
• Spina bifida
• Encephalocele

External links

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