National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Meningoencephalocele

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My newborn daughter has been diagnosed with a meningoencephalocele in the back of her head. Can she survive with this condition? How long can she survive?
The prognosis for each individual with meningoencephalocele depends on the size and location of the sac, whether brain tissue is present in the sac, and if other brain abnormalities are also present.[1] Survival is generally better when brain tissue is not involved in the sac.[2] Individuals with encephaloceles located in the face (at the frontal and nasal bones) tend to have better survival and development than those located at the back of the head (at the occipital and parietal bones).[3][2] Several studies have found that approximately two-thirds (66%) of individuals with meningoencephalocele in the back of the head survive; of those survivors, approximately half have normal intelligence. Infections, such as meningitis, may develop and could also affect the outcome.[2][1]


Last updated: 4/27/2016

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  1. Kiymaz N, Yilmaz N, Demir I, Keskin S. Prognostic Factors in Patients with Occipital Encephalocele. Pediatric neurosurgery 2010. 2010; 46(1):6-11. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20453557.
  2. Mealey J, Dzenitis AJ, Hockey AA. The prognosis of encephaloceles. Journal of Neurosurgery. 1970; 32(2):209-218. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5411997.
  3. Hoving EW. Nasal encephaloceles. Childs Nerv Syst. November 2000; 16(10-11):702-706. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11151720.