Amniotic band syndrome: a case report

Amniotic band syndrome (ABS) is a condition which occurs due to the constrictive bands formed by the early rupture of amnion membrane, and may cause different disorders depending on the organ involved. It is especially characterized with the deformation, malformation, amputation and craniofacial anomalies in the extremities. Its incidence rate varies between 1/1234 and 1/15,000 live births in different series. Although the etiopathogenesis of ABS is not known well, there have been many theories. In the etiology, infection, ischemia, trauma, amniocentesis, vasoconstrictive substance use decreasing uterine blood flow, antimitotic drug use during the first trimester and connective tissue tissues are suspected. Twenty-year-old patient with her first pregnancy had first degree kin marriage. The patient had no disease or surgery in her medical history, and she was not using alcohol or smoking. She had no characteristics in her family history. It was found in the fetal obstetric US of the patient referred to our clinic with external hydrocephaly pre-diagnosis that she was on 24 weeks of gestation. AFI was normal, placenta was on anterior, amnion membrane was ruptured and in direct contact with fetal tissues freely. In the fetal head examination, hydrocephaly, frontal encephalocele, and cleft palate and lip were observed. There was pes equinovarus deformity in both feet. After required information was provided to the patient, she decided to maintain the pregnancy and was transferred to a tertiary center. In the external follow-up of the patient, it was learnt that she had c-section delivery close to the term, and the baby was ex on postpartum 15th minute. Consequently, ABS should be remembered in cases with extremity anomaly and craniofacial defects

Keywords

Amniotic band, encephalocele, cleft palate and lip, pes equinovarus.