Baby born with neural tube defect passes away

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Madilynn Anahera Brown, a baby born with only a brain stem earlier this month has passed on Saturday due to complications from a birth defect.

Madilynn's parents Phillip and Leiana Brown celebrated the short life of their "miracle child" when was born on December 5 with only a brain stem.

“She’s a miracle," Phillip Brown said during an earlier interview.

Madilynn was born with Anencephaly, a neural tube defect which can result in babies being born without parts of their skull. The CDC estimates more than one in every 5,000 children in the U.S. will be born with the condition.

“It was heart-shattering; it really is," Leiana Brown said.  "As a mother, you try to do what you can to always do your best for your children and keep them from harm’s way.  And you’re being told that your child has only a short time on earth."

“You just take life for granted until something like this hits you and you really realize what a blessing family and life is," Phillip Brown said.

If you want to show your support for the Browns, you can “like” the Facebook page "Prayers for Madilynn."