What is Encephalocele?

Encephalocele is a birth defect in which a baby is born with an opening in the skull, allowing brain tissue to come out through this opening. The brain tissue forms a sac-like bulge outside the skull.

Encephalocele is a type of neural tube defect (NTD). The neural tube is the early structure that later becomes the brain and spinal cord. During the first few weeks of pregnancy, this tube should close completely. If the top part of the neural tube does not close properly, encephalocele can develop.

The severity of encephalocele can vary. Some cases are mild, while others can be serious or life-threatening.

What are the types of encephalocele?

The types of encephalocele is classified based on where the opening is located on the skull.

Based on skull location:

• Occipital: At the lower back of the baby’s head (most common)
• Parietal: On the top of the head, closer to the back
• Frontoethmoidal (sincipital): Near the forehead
• Sphenoidal: Deep in the front-middle area of the skull, behind the eyes

Broad categories:

• Anterior encephalocele: Opening at the front of the skull
• Posterior encephalocele: Opening at the back of the skull

What does encephalocele look like?

A newborn with encephalocele has:

• An opening in the skull
• A soft bulge or sac coming out of the head
• The sac is usually covered with skin
• In some cases, hair may grow on the skin covering the sac

The bulge can appear anywhere on the head, but it most commonly appears:

• At the back of the head
• Or on the forehead or nose area

What are the signs and symptoms of encephalocele?

Symptoms depend on:

• The size of the skull opening
• The location
• How much brain tissue is outside the skull

Possible symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Vision problems
• Weakness in arms or legs
• Poor muscle coordination
• Smaller head size at birth
• Facial abnormalities
• Nasal blockage
• Leakage of brain fluid from the nose or ear
• Fluid buildup in the brain (hydrocephalus)

Some babies may have few symptoms, while others may have serious neurological problems.

What are the complications of encephalocele?

Possible long-term complications include:

• Delayed physical and mental development
• Learning difficulties or intellectual disability
• Vision problems
• Slow growth
• Seizures

The risk of complications increases if:

• The skull opening is large
• More brain tissue is involved

What causes encephalocele?

Most cases of encephalocele are present at birth. Rarely, it may develop later due to:

• Head injury
• Brain tumor
• Increased pressure inside the skull

Congenital encephalocele occurs when the top of the neural tube fails to close properly during the 3rd and 4th week of pregnancy. Because of this, the skull does not form completely, allowing brain tissue to push outward.

The exact cause is not fully known, but possible factors include:

• Genetic changes during conception
• Infections during pregnancy (such as toxoplasmosis or viral infections)
• Brain structure abnormalities
• Certain rare genetic syndromes

What are the risk factors for encephalocele?

You may have a higher risk if:

• There is a family history of neural tube defects
• You do not get enough folic acid (vitamin B9) before and during early pregnancy

How is encephalocele diagnosed?

Encephalocele is often diagnosed during pregnancy through:

• Routine ultrasound
• Prenatal MRI, if more detail is needed

After birth, the diagnosis is usually clear based on physical examination. Additional tests such as imaging or blood tests may be done to:

• Check for underlying conditions
• Understand how the brain is affected

Can encephalocele go undiagnosed?

Yes. Small encephaloceles, especially near the nose or forehead, may not be noticed at birth. These mild cases may cause few or no symptoms and are sometimes discovered later in life.

How is encephalocele treated?

The main treatment for encephalocele is surgery.

Surgery aims to:

• Remove non-functioning brain tissue outside the skull
• Place healthy brain tissue back inside the skull (if possible)
• Close and repair the skull opening

Treatment usually takes place:

• Soon after birth
• Or within the first year of life, depending on severity

Most children require more than one surgery.

Long-term care and support

As the child grows, they may need:

• Additional surgeries
• Treatment for hydrocephalus
• Medicines for seizures
• Vision support (glasses)
• Physical therapy
• Special education services

Are there side effects of treatment?

As with any surgery, risks may include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Leakage of spinal fluid

Larger skull openings involving more brain tissue carry a higher risk of long-term neurological problems. Doctors carefully plan treatment to reduce these risks.

Can babies survive encephalocele?

Yes, many babies survive encephalocele, especially when treated early with surgery.

Babies with:

• Smaller openings
• Less brain involvement
• Openings at the front of the skull

generally have better outcomes.

What is the survival outlook?

Larger encephaloceles, especially those at the back of the head, have a higher risk of complications. Survival depends on:

• Size and location of the defect
• Amount of brain tissue involved
• Overall health of the baby

Can encephalocele be prevented?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent encephalocele, but the risk can be reduced.

Steps to lower risk include:

• Taking folic acid daily (400 mcg) before and during early pregnancy
• Starting folic acid before pregnancy, since neural tube defects develop very early
• Talking to a healthcare provider if you have a family history of neural tube defects

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Encephalocele treatment for children in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers advanced Encephalocele treatment for children in Lucknow, India, at an affordable cost. We have a team of experienced pediatric neurosurgeons and craniofacial specialists who provide accurate diagnosis with advanced imaging, personalized medical care, and specialized surgical treatment tailored to each child's specific condition. Our Pediatric Neurosurgery team has decades of experience in successfully treating Encephalocele in Lucknow, India.

To seek an Expert Consultation for Encephalocele treatment for children in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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