Congenital absence of the umbilical cord resulting from maldevelopment of embryonic body folding.
We report a case of extreme maldevelopment of embryonic body folding that resulted in incomplete fusion of the amnion to the chorion and failure to form an umbilical cord. Massive intra-abdominal and intrathoracic herniation led to rapid neonatal death. The accurate ultrasonic characterization of the defect enabled prudent perinatal management.
D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000002:abnormalities*; D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006554:Hernia, Umbilical / Q000151:congenital; D006801:Humans; D010929:Placentation; D011247:Pregnancy; D014470:Umbilical Cord