Brachmann-de Lange syndrome: a cause of early symmetric fetal growth delay

Brachmann-de Lange syndrome is characterized by pre- and postnatal growth r etardation, microbrachycephaly, hirsutism, various visceral and limb anomal ies and a typical face. A sonographic prenatal diagnosis at mid-trimester i s reported in a case of severe, symmetrical fetal growth delay at 20 weeks gestation, with a thickened skin on the forehead, a small nose and a marked depressed nasal bridge, a long philtrum, micrognathia and a persistently f lexed right forearm, with a single bone associated to oligodactyly. Due to the severe mental impairment with a commonly estimated intelligence quotien t under 60, the pregnancy was terminated after parental consent. (C) 1999 E lsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.