Abstract

OLAYA, Mercedes  and  GOMEZ, Ana Milena. Limb-body wall complex in the San Ignacio Teaching Hospital at Bogota, Colombia: a case report and literature review. Rev Colomb Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2011, vol.62, n.4, pp.331-337. ISSN 0034-7434.

Introduction: umbilical cord alterations are associated with several short and long-term complications during pregnancy, some involving little chance of survival related to multiple foetal lesions. One of those anomalies is the Limb-Body Wall Complex (LBWC) which consists of lateral body wall defects and anomalies due to shortening of the limbs. Its still discussed aetiology, poor prognosis and possible recurrence make it important in ecographic diagnosis, neonatal attention and the approach during autopsy. Objectives: reporting a case of LBWC and reviewing the literature published about its aetiology, clinical characteristics and diagnosis within the context of the complications associated with umbilical cord alterations. Materials and methods: a clinical case of a female newborn resulting from an adolescent mother’s first pregnancy who consulted a reference and high complexity entity is presented. The newborn died a few minutes after being born, presenting a defect of the abdominal wall, scoliosis and upper left limb stump associated with a 6 cm umbilical cord. The literature published in Medline data bases was reviewed using PubMed, Ovid and Hinari. Conclusion: LBWC is an expression of an excessively short cord and is associated with important morbidity-mortality. Thus an early diagnosis must be made and suitable genetic advice given to families.

Keywords : umbilical cord; abdominal wall anomaly; prenatal ultrasonography; genetic consultation.

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