Prune Belly Syndrome - diagnosis and therapeutical possibilities

The Prune Belly Syndrome combines dilation of the bladder and a laxity of t he abdominal wall, and is of unknown etiology. The sequelae are a pulmonary hypoplasia and a deterioration of the kidney function, which determine pro gnosis. Via early ultrasound diagnosis, intrauterine application of a vesic o-amniotic shunt can be performed and can improve survival rates. Inclusion criteria for a vesico-amniotic shunt are a lack of further sonomorphologic al abnormalities, a lack of an indication for an alteration of the kidney f unction by ultrasound or laboratory tests, and a normal caryotype.