Amniotic Band Syndrome [ABS] is a group of congenital birth defects that doctors believe happens when fetal parts of the body, such as an arm or a leg, are trapped by fibrous amniotic bands while still in the womb. This means that a finger, a toe, or other body parts were caught up in these bands and this caused a problem or abnormality at birth. It isn’t a genetic issue and there are no prenatal factors that have so far been associated with ABS.
Statistics About Amniotic Band Syndrome
1. ABS occurs in just 1 out of every 1,000 to 2,000 births every year. When measuring live births, the rates drop to as few as 1 out of every 15,000 births.
2. It can be detected with the use of a routine prenatal ultrasound as early as 12 weeks along in the pregnancy.
3. ABS can be treated by surgery if it is caught early enough in the pregnancy and this can save the child’s life or their limbs that may have become wrapped up in the bands.
4. The timing of an ABS rupture is believed to occur between 28 days after conception to 18 weeks of gestation.
5. The banding most often affects fingers, toes, arms, or legs, accounting for 80% of the physical complications that are present during a live birth.
6. Most children are able to adapt to the conditions of ABS that are physically present and live healthy, full lives.
7. Children born with ABS usually require no treatment at all. For those that do require treatment, plastic surgery and orthopedic repair are the two most common forms of assistance that are provided.
8. There is a direct correlation between the development of club feet and having ABS present during the pregnancy.
9. There are no preventative measures that can be taken to prevent the development of ABS, unless there is a family history of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
10. It is believed that approximately 178 of every 10,000 miscarriages that occur are due to the development of ABS.
11. No distinct sex predilection has been determined in the formation of ABS.
12. Up to 60% of the diagnosed cases of ABS occur in women who have had some form of an abnormal gestation history.
13. There are some prenatal risk factors associated with ABS that include premature birth, low birth weight, and maternal illness that occurs during the pregnancy.
14. The most highly associated finding of ABS occurring, however, is an attempted abortion that happened during the first trimester.
15. African American women who have been pregnant at least twice before they reach their 20th birthday show the highest form of risk in the development of ABS.
16. 40% of the known cases of ABS occurs in mothers with no abnormal prenatal history.
17. The average functional deficit of children born with ABS and have limb length discrepancies is greater than 2.5 centimeters.
The sad news is that mothers who do everything right still have a chance, albeit a small one, of developing a pregnancy with ABS.
Impact of Amniotic Band Syndrome
This can happen to anyone, anywhere, and even if they’ve done everything right. It is rare and it is unlikely to occur on a future pregnancy, even if it has been diagnosed within the current pregnancy. ABS is thought to occur when the inner membrane ruptures, but doesn’t cause an injury to the outer membrane where the fetus is growing. It may result in a limb amputation or the birth of a baby that has necrotic tissue that must be immediately removed for the child’s survival.
No two cases of ABS are alike, but there are some unique characteristics that children born under these conditions share. They may have distal ring constrictions, webbed fingers or toes, nails that are deformed, or stunted growth in the fingers and toes. When an amniotic band comes across the face, it may create a cleft palate. If the amniotic band wraps around the umbilical cord, then the most likely outcome of the pregnancy would be a miscarriage.
What do we know about ABS? How often does it occur? A look at the Amniotic Band Syndrome statistics that are known today can help to answer many of the questions you may have.
Treatments and Additional Facts
The surgical treatments that can happen during a pregnancy are the most exciting development that has occurred in medical science when it comes to resolving ABS. By being able to remove these bands before they are able to cause a serious amount of damage, more children are able to be saved and live fulfilling lives. Looking at the miscarriage statistics is also encouraging because at the best estimate, just 1.7% of the total miscarriages that occur are because of this condition.
So what can be done to stop ABS? Although there may be no natural means of preventing these bands from forming, there are some care actions that can prevent it from forming in the first place. The first and most obvious preventative measure would be to not seek out an abortion. It’s not a statement for or against abortion. It’s just the fact that ABS and a first trimester abortion attempt have a direct correlation with each other.
Avoiding severe injuries whenever possible from the mother’s standpoint would also help with the proactive prevention of ABS. Trauma also has a direct correlation with the formation of ABS. Although it might be impossible to avoid a traffic accident, it may be wise to not be sitting where an air bag could deploy into the abdomen if an accident were to occur.
Unfortunately ABS is one of those aspects of the human condition that are difficult to accept. It can strike at any time and happen to any mother. The good news is that there is no known associated risk with future pregnancies for additional ABS complications. The bottom line is this: if you’ve got kids and they’re healthy, then give them a big hug today. Not every parent has that opportunity.