A stillborn fetus with amniotic band syndrome and elevated levels of alpha-fetoprotein plus beta-human chorionic gonadotropin: a case report

Abstract

Amniotic band syndrome is an uncommon, congenital fetal abnormality with multiple disfiguring and disabling manifestations. A wide spectrum of clinical deformities are encountered and range from simple ring constrictions to major craniofacial and visceral defects. We report a case of constriction amniotic bands involving upper extremities and intrauterine fetal death due to strangulation of umbilical cord. Abnormally elevated levels of alpha-fetoprotein and beta-chorionic gonadotropin were detected at 17 weeks' gestation. They were probably caused by the loss of cutaneous integrity of the fetus (alpha-fetoprotein), and by the placental attempt to counteract the fetal growth restriction and hypoxia, due to the strangulation of umbilical cord by the amniotic bands (beta-chorionic gonadotropin).