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Case Reports
. 2010 Aug 17:10:46.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-10-46.

Abnormal fetal movements, micrognathia and pulmonary hypoplasia: a case report. Abnormal fetal movements

Seiichi Morokuma  1 , Ai Anami, Kiyomi Tsukimori, Kotaro Fukushima, Norio Wake
Affiliations
Case Reports

Abnormal fetal movements, micrognathia and pulmonary hypoplasia: a case report. Abnormal fetal movements

Seiichi Morokuma et al. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. .

Abstract

Background: Micrognathia is a facial malformation characterized by mandibular hypoplasia and a small, receding chin that fails to maintain the tongue in a forward position. We previously reported a system of prenatal screening that we developed to identify fetuses with compromised central nervous system function by observing fetal behavior. In this paper we report the case of a preterm infant with micrognathia and pulmonary hypoplasia who presented abnormal fetal movements.

Case presentation: A 27-year-old Japanese primigravida at 33 weeks of gestation was referred to our hospital. Ultrasonographic examination revealed clinical polyhydramnios. Micrognathia was evident on midsagittal and 3 D scan. The lung area was less than the mean -2.0 standard deviations for the gestational age. The infant had mandibular hypoplasia and glossoptosis. After emergency cesarean delivery for non-reasuring fetal status, required immediate tracheostomy and cardiopulmonary resuscitation with mechanical ventilatory support. However, the infant's cardiopulmonary condition did not improve and she died 21 hours after birth.

Conclusions: The findings of our ultrasound exam are suggestive of brain dysfunction. The observation of fetal behavior appears to be effective for the prediction of prognosis of cases with micrognathia.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Fetal and newborn face. B-mode ultrasound scan of the fetal face at 33 weeks of gestation showing micrognathia (arrows: mandible) (a). Three-dimensional ultrasound scan of the fetal face at 33 weeks of gestation showing micrognathia (arrows: mandible) (b). Newborn face showing micrognathia (c).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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