THE ORTHOPEDIC MANIFESTATIONS OF PRUNE-BELLY (EAGLE-BARRETT) SYNDROME

Forty children were managed for prune-belly syndrome between 1979 and 1989, and twenty-five of them had musculoskeletal abnormalities. The m usculoskeletal abnormalities were primary in twenty-two children, seco ndary to renal osteodystrophy in one, and both primary and secondary t o renal osteodystrophy in two. Thirteen children had marked abnormalit y of the hip, and congenital dislocation was typically resistant to co nventional treatment. Scoliosis was seen in seven patients. Pectus exc avatum (a chest-mall deformity) was seen in eleven patients, including five of the six who had an idiopathic-like curve. Although prune-bell y syndrome is uncommon, the diagnosis necessitates a thorough orthopae dic evaluation because of the high prevalence of associated musculoske letal abnormalities.