Facts about Encephalocele Encephalocele is a rare type of neural
tube defect (NTD) present at birth that affects the brain. The
neural tube is a narrow channel that folds and closes during the
third and fouth weeks of pregnancy to form the brain and spinal
cord. Encephalocele is described as a sac-like protrusion or
projection of the brain and the membranes that cover it through
an opening in the skull. Encephalocele happens when the neural
tube does not close completely during pregnancy. The result is
an opening in the midline of the upper part of the skull, the
area between the forehead and nose, or the back of the skull.
Usually encephaloceles are found right after birth, but
sometimes a small encephalocele in the nose and forehead region
can go undetected How often does encephalocele occur? CDC
estimates that each year about 375 babies in the United States
are born with encephalocele (1). In other words, about 1 out of
every 10,000 babies born in the United States each year will
have encephalocele. What p