Intra-uterine fetal demise caused by amniotic band syndrome after standardamniocentesis

The amniotic band syndrome represents a prime example of exogenous disrupti on of an otherwise normal feta I development. It may be a sequel of invasiv e diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis or fetal blood sampling. A 38 -year-old gravida II, para II delivered a morphologically normal male still born at term. The pregnancy history had been unremarkable but for an early 2nd-trimester amniocentesis. Cause of the intra-uterine fetal demise was no ted to be an amniotic band constricting the umbilical cord, An amniotic ban d is a rare but potentially fatal condition which may be induced by, e.g., invasive prenatal procedures. Such bands are not usually diagnosed prenatal ly; however, selected patients with augmented risk may profit from intensiv e ultrasound evaluation including Doppler studies. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Ka rger AG, Basel.