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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Anencephaly is a birth defect that results in a
3child being born without a fully formed skull, scalp, or brain;
4and
 
5    WHEREAS, Anencephaly is caused by an improperly developed
6neural tube - the part of an embryo that develops into a
7child's nervous system; and
 
8    WHEREAS, In children with anencephaly, the neural tube
9fails to close during the third and fourth week of pregnancy
10and stops the development of the fore brain, cerebrum, skull,
11and scalp; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Some children with anencephaly may be born with a
13rudimentary brain stem that allows basic automatic responses;
14and
 
15    WHEREAS, Babies born with anencephaly are usually blind,
16deaf, unconscious, and unable to feel pain; their existing
17nervous system allows them to breathe and respond to sound or
18touch but cannot gain consciousness; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Almost all babies born with anencephaly will die
20shortly after birth; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2estimate that each year, about one in every 4,859 children in
3the United States will be born with anencephaly; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Anencephaly is part of the neural tube defect
5classification of disorders along with spina bifida; and
 
6    WHEREAS, There is currently no cure for anencephaly and its
7exact causes and risk factors are still unknown; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Some research suggests that increased ingestion
9of folic acid early during pregnancy may reduce the risk of
10anencephaly; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
12ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the
13importance of improving awareness and encouraging accurate and
14early diagnosis of anencephaly; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That we designate October 10, 2015 as Anencephaly
16Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That we support a State, national, and global
18commitment to improving access to and developing new
19treatments, diagnostics, and cures for anencephaly.