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My cousin had amniotic bands but her baby was born healthy as can be.
The weirdest thing I seen on a newborn in clinicals was a polydactil baby. We were always taught to count the finger and toes and this time we counted six on each hand. I guess having more fingers is better than having a few missing.
I just cared for a 24 wk demise due to amniotic band around the cord!
There were also visible bands wrapped around 3 fingers and on a lower leg.
Very unusual to actually see the bands/tissue that almost looks like a string tied around the body part. I have seen infant that have survived with missing fingers, arms and legs due to amniotic band syndrome-but this was the first to have the bands attached.
Here is a great site for reference (ain't google grand):
Happened with my mother's pregnancy of my sister (who was born missing a few toes). Subsequently, my sister's son was born with a club foot...so I wonder if its inherited? But interestingly, my mother's first pregnancies went without a hitch, and my sister's first pregnancy too. It leads me to wonder if scar tissue from prior C-sections were the cause and if this can be confused with amniotic bands (for those who had other pregnancies without a problem)- OR if prior C-sections CAUSE bands? My sister was told most likely amniotic band syndrome, but I still wonder about connection with prior pregnancy with C-section.
Was this the mother's first pregnancy? Just curious.
I have only seen this 2 or 3 times in the 6 years that I have been doing OB. The worst case was a malformed hand, several fingers missing on the other hand, an amputated foot above the ankle and this baby also had some facial deformities as well. I didn't follow the case but I would guess there were some other anomolies as well.
I visitor to my breastfeeding group just found out that her baby has this, around the left wrist. They are still watching and hoping it doesn't constrict enough to do damage at this point. She was going for a level II US this week so I'm sure they will know a lot more then.
I also had a pt with twins, one with polydactly. They were fully formed pinkies except they were only connected with skin, the ped tied them off.
HappyNurse2005, RN
1,640 Posts
Had a baby delivered today with known club feet. Was also found to be missing 3 fingers on one hand-that was not known until delivery. MD said it was likely amniotic band syndrome. Had never heard of it. When I went home, i looked it up and turns out they can be related.
Just my interesting info for the day.