Intra-uterine fetal demise caused by amniotic band syndrome after standard amniocentesis.
The amniotic band syndrome represents a prime example of exogenous disruption of an otherwise normal fetal development. It may be a sequel of invasive diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis or fetal blood sampling. A 38-year-old gravida II, para II delivered a morphologically normal male stillborn at term. The pregnancy history had been unremarkable but for an early 2nd-trimester amniocentesis. Cause of the intra-uterine fetal demise was noted to be an amniotic band constricting the umbilical cord. An amniotic band is a rare but potentially fatal condition which may be induced by, e.g., invasive prenatal procedures. Such bands are not usually diagnosed prenatally; however, selected patients with augmented risk may profit from intensive ultrasound evaluation including Doppler studies.
Strauss
A
A
Klinik und Poliklinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Deutschland. Alexander.Strauss@gyn.med.uni-muenchen.de
Hasbargen
U
U
Paek
B
B
Bauerfeind
I
I
Hepp
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000652:Amniotic Band Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000473:pathology