ARTHROGRYPOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS AT TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY

We report three cases of failed termination of pregnancy in which the children were subsequently born with arthrogryposis (AMC) (multiple co ngenital contractures). Arthrogryposis is a sign with many causes. We suggest that the multiple congenital contractures seen in these childr en are due to vascular compromise during the attempted termination wit h secondary loss of functional neurons leading to fetal akinesia and s ubsequent contractures. Two of the children have additional evidence o f intrauterine vascular compromise. Limitation of movement secondary t o the rupture of the fetal membranes and continuous leakage of amnioti c fluid after the attempted termination may have compounded the contra ctures in two of the children. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.