Congenital amputation is a congenital disorder that can be caused by fibrous bands of the amnion that constrict foetal limbs to such an extent, that they fall off due to missing blood supply. The child is born without one or more limbs or without parts of limbs (amelia).

Contents 1 Causes 2 Treatment 3 See also 4 Literature

[edit] Causes

Congenital amputation can result when the inner fetal membrane (amnion) ruptures without injury to the outer membrane (chorion). Fibrous bands from the ruptured amnion float in the amniotic fluid and can get entangled with the fetus, thus reducing blood supply to the developing limbs to such an extent, that the limbs can become strangulated, the tissues die and are absorbed into the amniotic fluid. Amnion ruptures can be caused by:

• teratogenic drugs (e.g. thalidomide, which causes phocomelia), or environmental chemicals
• ionizing radiation (atomic weapons, radioiodine, radiation therapy)
• infections
• metabolic imbalance
• trauma

[edit] Treatment

In rare cases, if diagnosed in utero, fetal surgery may be considered to save a limb which is in danger of amputation.

[edit] See also

The term "congenital amputation" is sometimes used loosely to mean "congenital absence".

[edit] Literature

• Gabos PG. (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19899, USA) Modified technique for the surgical treatment of congenital constriction bands of the arms and legs of infants and children Orthopedics. 2006 May;29(5):401-4
• Walter JH Jr, Goss LR, Lazzara AT. (Department of Orthopedics, Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia 19107, USA.) Amniotic band syndrome J Foot Ankle Surg. 1998 Jul-Aug;37(4):325-333
• Light TR, Ogden JA. (Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery, Loyola University School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA) Congenital constriction band syndrome. Pathophysiology and treatment Yale J Biol Med. 1993 May-Jun;66(3):143-155
• Further literature available e.g. via PubMed, free medical literature database of the US health authority (search for: congenital amputation or amniotic band or congenital constriction bands or other synonyms) via http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed

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v • d • e Congenital malformations and deformations of musculoskeletal system / musculoskeletal abnormality (Q65-Q76, 754-756.3) Limb/ dysmelia Upper clavicle/shoulder: Cleidocranial dysostosis · Sprengel's deformity · Wallis Zieff Goldblatt syndrome hand deformity: Madelung's deformity · Clinodactyly Lower hip: Dislocation of hip/Hip dysplasia · Upington disease · Coxa valga · Coxa vara knee: Genu valgum · Genu varum foot deformity: Club foot · Flat feet · Pes cavus · Rocker bottom foot Either/both dactyly/digit: Polydactyly/Syndactyly (Webbed toes) · Arachnodactyly · Cenani Lenz syndactylism · Ectrodactyly · Brachydactyly reduction deficits/limb: Acheiropodia · ectromelia (Phocomelia, Amelia, Hemimelia) multiple joints: Arthrogryposis · Larsen syndrome · Rapadilino syndrome Craniofacial Craniosynostosis: Scaphocephaly · Oxycephaly · Trigonocephaly Craniofacial dysostosis: Crouzon syndrome · Hypertelorism · Hallermann-Streiff syndrome · Treacher Collins syndrome other: Macrocephaly · Platybasia · Craniodiaphyseal dysplasia · Dolichocephaly · Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome · Plagiocephaly · Saddle nose Other axial spine: spinal curvature (Scoliosis) · Klippel-Feil syndrome · Spondylolisthesis · Spina bifida occulta ribs: Cervical rib · Bifid rib sternum: Pectus excavatum · Pectus carinatum joint navs: anat, non-congenital arthropathies/deformities/dorsopathies/soft tissue arthropathy/congenital, eponymous signs, proc