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About
Amputations: Amniotic Band Syndrome
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About | Results | Diagnosis
| Reoccurrence | Synonyms
for ABS|
About
Amniotic Band Syndrome, or ABS, is caused
by the entrapment of a limb or other body part in a fibrous, amniotic
band. These bands are usually formed when the sack, or amnion,
breaks. It is believed that these bands surround the limbs sometime after
28 days from conception. Usually they occur before 18 weeks gestation,
but not always. It is still possible for these bands to form and affect
the fetus after 18 weeks, however.
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Results
There are many outcomes that are caused by amniotic band syndrome. Sometimes
ABS causes webbed fingers and toes. Along with webbed fingers and toes,
digits and limbs may be amputated. Rings can form around these limbs and
digits as well. There is sometimes swelling around the extremities. Cleft
lip, cleft palate, and clubfoot all are results of Amniotic Band Syndrome.
Finally, there are many defects that may be caused by ABS. Some of these
defects include defects of the head and face, spine, body wall, and umbilical
cord. ABS can affect a myriad of body parts.
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Diagnosis
Amniotic Band Syndrome is complicated to diagnose. It is both over-diagnosed
and misdiagnosed. Doctors confuse ABS with other congenital
conditions. The earliest diagnosis is usually done at 12 weeks gestation
by an ultrasound test. Many times, the amniotic bands are not seen until
after a child is born. After birth, it is identified by its physical effects.
ABS is challenging to diagnose.
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Reoccurrence
Many mothers of children affected by ABS worry that future children may
also have amniotic band syndrome. In reality, the probability of having
a second child with Amniotic Band Syndrome is the same as the probability
of the first child being affected. ABS is neither hereditary nor genetic.
For this reason, Amniotic Band Syndrome usually occurs in only one child
in a family. In addition, Amniotic Band Syndrome is not caused by anything
done by the mother during pregnancy. The mother is not and should not
feel responsible for the birth defect. There are no preventative measures,
either. Amniotic Band Syndrome is not genetic, hereditary, or preventable.
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Synonyms
for ABS
There are many synonyms for Amniotic Band Syndrome. Some of these are
ADAM Complex, amniochorionic mesoblastic fibrous strings, amniotic band
sequence, amniotic disruption complex, congenital constricting bands,
constriction band syndrome, constriction band syndrome, constriction ring
syndrome, Streeter bands, and tissue bands. Because of the many of names
for the same condition, people often believe that there is a difference
between these conditions, when in reality, there is not. Amniotic Band
Syndrome, ADAM Complex, constriction ring syndrome - they all mean the
same thing.
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