Strangulation of the umbilical cord by an amnion band - A rare cause of intrauterine demise: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: The amniotic band syndrome has a scarce prevalence and intrauterine death as a result of amniotic bands formation is extremely rare. Case presentation: We present an illustrative case of intrauterine death of an embryo in the 24th gestational week in an 30-year old primigravida. The death was ascribed to the twisting of the umbilical cord around the left upper extremity, causing a strangulation of the umbilical cord in a very impressive way. Conclusion: Constriction of the umbilical cord by an amniotic band is extremely rare and very hard, if not impossible, to diagnose with antenatal sonography. © 2009 Chatzigeorgiou et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.