Amniotic Band Syndrome (An Autopsy Case)

Congenital amniotic band is a rare and interesting anomaly that may attach to various parts of the fetus or newborn, and can he cause of a variety of conge nital malformations. The amniotic band syndrome implies a group of anomalies resulted from the amπ iotic band including from a simple constriction ring in the limb to multiple malformations. The incidence has been estimated at approximately I : 5.000 to I : 15, 000 pregnancies. We reported an autopsy case of a severe form of amniotic band syndrome revealing anencephaly, gastrischisis, total syndactylism of the right hand , severe scoliosis and lordosis , cleft lip and palate, hypoplasia of the left lung , and atrial septal defect. The amni otic membrane of the placenta was attached to the anencephalic head and the margin of the partially developed abdominal wall. This stillborn female baby was induced at 34 weeks of gestation because of spontaneous premature rupture of membrane and multiple anomalies detected on ult· rasonography. The 29-year-old primigravid mother had no history of taking drugs or irradiation during this pregnancy