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).

• Authors: S Sifakis, N Mantas, A Konstantinidou, O Koukoura, E Avgoustinakis, E Koumantakis
• Journal: Fetal diagnosis and therapy (Fetal Diagn Ther) Vol. 24 Issue 2 Pg. 111-4 ( 2008) ISSN: 1421-9964 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 18648210 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• AFP protein, human
• Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
• alpha-Fetoproteins

Topics

• Adult
• Amniocentesis
• Amniotic Band Syndrome (complications, metabolism, pathology)
• Autopsy
• Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human (blood)
• Constriction, Pathologic
• Female
• Fetal Death (etiology, metabolism, pathology)
• Fingers (abnormalities)
• Gestational Age
• Hand Deformities, Congenital (etiology, pathology)
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Pregnancy
• Stillbirth
• Umbilical Cord (pathology)
• Up-Regulation
• alpha-Fetoproteins (metabolism)