Commonly called amniotic band syndrome, amniotic banding is a rare abnormality of the placenta that may affect up to 1 out of every 2250 live births, according to data from Carole Kenner, coauthor of the book "Comprehensive Neonatal Care." Amniotic band syndrome could lead to congenital deformities in infants that vary in severity depending upon various factors, including the location and size of the amniotic bands.
The Basics
During pregnancy, the placenta grows inside the womb, cushioning, protecting and providing nourishment for the unborn baby throughout the gestation period. In rare instances, part of the placenta that surrounds the baby--the amnion, which is the innermost layer of the bag of water--develops abnormal bands of fibrous tissue that may encircle part of the unborn baby's body. Constriction or amputation of the encircled body part may result. Although this health condition occurs irregularly, the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center states that amniotic banding may be associated with abdominal trauma in the mother, as well as amniocentesis.
Effects
Amniotic banding has been directly linked to various deformities in infants. According to Kenner, amniotic banding could lead to limb amputation, webbed fingers or toes and clubfoot. Other birth defects often arising as a result of amniotic banding include craniofacial defects, which are malformations of the head and face; more common examples include a cleft lip or palate. In more serious cases, the baby's torso may also be affected, which could result in problems such as perforations of the abdominal wall.
Considerations
Physical defects arising from amniotic band syndrome are congenital, which simply means that they were present at the infant's birth. The Fetal Treatment Center at the University of California San Francisco states that the location and tightness of the amniotic bands determine the severity of their physical effects on the infant's body. Mild banding may result in nothing more than a lost toe or finger; more severe banding could involve multiple bands and be life-threatening, especially if it involves the baby's torso.
Time Frame
Although they might identify it at some point during a pregnancy by ultrasound, doctors often diagnose amniotic band syndrome at birth, when a physical examination of the infant reveals physical deformities that arise from the banding, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. While these physical malformations may not become apparent until after birth, they actually took place at some point during gestation when the constricting bands compressed the affected portion of the unborn baby's body, often cutting off the flow of blood and limiting its normal growth patterns.
Prognosis
Depending upon the severity of the physical malformations, many infants suffering from amniotic banding go on to adapt to life successfully without intervention. However, for both medical and aesthetic reasons, many parents opt for surgery to repair damage caused by amniotic banding. The Fetal Treatment Center at the University of California San Francisco states that instances possibly requiring reconstructive surgery include fused finger or toes, clubbed feet and constriction grooves caused by the bands. Often, the reconstructive surgery will need to take place over multiple surgeries to minimize complications.
References
- "Comprehensive Neonatal Care"; Carole Kenner & Judy Wright Lott; 2007
- Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center: Amniotic Band Syndrome
- Fetal Treatment Center at the University of California San Francisco: Amniotic Banding Syndrome
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Amniotic Constriction Bands
