Encephalocele

Encephalocele is a rare condition that occurs before birth. Normally, the brain and spinal cord are formed during the third and fourth weeks of pregnancy. They are formed from the neural tube. Most encephaloceles occur when the neural tube does not close completely. This should be done when the baby's brain, nervous system, and skull are starting to form. If the neural tube does not close, it can cause a sac-like bulge of brain tissue and CSF to come out of the skull. An encephalocele can be fatal. Babies with encephalocele often have chromosomal, brain, and facial problems.