Amniotic band syndrome, which occurs when the amniotic membrane—the membrane filling with amniotic fluid in which the baby floats—becomes entangled or adheres to fetal tissues, is a rare but serious problem that, when it does occur, can cause amputation of the baby's hands, feet, and fingers, or, if it progresses, can lead to the baby's death.
What causes amniotic band syndrome?
Although the exact causes of amniotic band syndrome are not fully known, there is a strong belief that postpartum and abortion infections may be a contributing factor. It is also thought that amniotic band syndrome may begin with amniotic rupture in the early stages of pregnancy.
Complications of Amniotic Band Syndrome
The severity of complications can vary from mother to mother. While some pregnancies result in the baby being born without any problems, others can have dramatic consequences. Some of the complications caused by amniotic band syndrome are as follows:
- Amniotic band syndrome, where the bands wrap around the foot or toes, can lead to amputation.
- A baby can develop in the womb with its legs tied together.
- If the amniotic membrane surrounds the face, it can cause a cleft lip. It is possible to treat this problem after the baby is born.
- In advanced cases, the bands can lead to abdominal defects or narrowing of blood vessels around vital organs.
- If the umbilical cord straps become wrapped around the neck, it can be life-threatening.
Amniotic band syndrome is generally a non-recurrent condition. If one baby has been diagnosed with amniotic band syndrome, the risk of a similar condition occurring in subsequent pregnancies is low.
Amniotic Band Syndrome Treatment
There is not much that can be done regarding the treatment of amniotic band syndrome. If the condition is in an advanced form, termination of pregnancy may be considered upon detection. If detected in mild forms, surgical cutting of the bands in the womb may be planned. Surgery is not recommended if the bands do not cause any injury to the baby. If the bands pose a threat and could lead to serious problems such as facial deformities, fetoscopic surgery is recommended. In any case, it is best to closely monitor the situation with your doctor and act according to the solution they recommend to prevent any further injury.
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