Amniotic Band Syndrome

Excerpt

Amniotic band syndrome is a rare diagnosis with variable presentations. Although the underlying etiology of amniotic band syndrome remains unknown, the clinical consequences result from fetal parts becoming entangled in the amnion. This entanglement leads to congenital anomalies by disruption, deformation, and malformation of organs that otherwise would have likely developed normally (see Image. Amniotic Band Syndrome). The severity ranges widely from mild isolated constriction rings to large abdominal wall defects.

Amniotic band syndrome may be a misnomer and is better characterized as a sequence than a syndrome, as anomalies are related to an insult that can result from multiple etiologies. In contrast, a syndrome refers to patterns of congenital anomalies known to result from a single etiology (eg, Turner syndrome is due to XO chromosomal anomaly). Amniotic band syndrome has several synonyms: ADAM-sequence (amniotic deformity/adhesion/mutilation), amniotic disruption complex, congenital constricting bands, and Streeter dysplasia.