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VOLUME 10 , ISSUE 1--4 ( January-December, 2024 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

Prenatal Diagnosis of Limb Body Wall Complex During Nuchal Translucency Ultrasonography: A Case Report

John P Davis, Mattummal Navab, Gomathy Subramaniam, Palakkal Haneena

Keywords : Body-stalk anomaly, Case report, Fetal malformation syndrome, Limb body wall complex

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10045-00296

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 30-09-2024

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2024; The Author(s).


Abstract

Aim and background: The limb body wall complex (LBWC) is a complex fetal malformation syndrome that is sporadic, extremely rare, and difficult to manage. It is associated with severe abdominal wall, spinal, and limb malformations. It is distinguished by a wide range of severe body wall abnormalities. Because the majority of the affected fetuses die in the womb, the incidence at birth is 0.32 per 1,00,000 births. The scope of anomalies in LBWC also known as “body-stalk anomaly” is extremely broad. Case description: A 24-year-old woman came for her nuchal translucency (NT) scan in the 13th week of pregnancy. On ultrasonography, the fetus showed multiple anomalies and was diagnosed with LBWC. The diagnosis and outcomes were explained to the patient. The patient decided to end the pregnancy and underwent medical termination of pregnancy. Upon the expulsion of the fetus, the ultrasound findings of the LBWC were confirmed. Conclusion: Limb body wall complex is a rare fetal anomaly that has a fatal outcome. It is usually diagnosed during the second or third trimesters of pregnancy. An early diagnosis can help improve the patient's outcome. It should be suspected when prenatal ultrasound shows abdominal wall abnormalities linked to craniofacial deformity along with limb deficits. Clinical significance: Even though it is a rare fetal anomaly, LBWC needs to be differentiated from gastroschisis and omphalocele. As the latter anomalies have a better outcome. Sonographic characteristics of LBWC include thoraco and/or abdominoschisis, neural tube anomalies, severe scoliosis, positional deformities, and irregularity of fetal membranes.


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