Amniotic band sequence, amniotic strands, amniotic bands
Amniotic bands or strands in the uterus are caused by damage to the membranes surrounding the unborn child. They are often completely harmless. In some cases, however, they wrap around the arms or legs of an unborn child, cutting off the blood supply. This can result in amputated, partially amputated, or underdeveloped limbs. These can be treated increasingly well with modern prostheses.
However, amniotic bands can also be life-threatening for the child. This is the case when they wrap around the umbilical cord. During prenatal ultrasound diagnostics, if amniotic bands or strands are present, it must always be ruled out that the umbilical cord is also entangled or constricted. Otherwise, the supply of nutrients to the child will deteriorate during pregnancy, possibly leading to death.
The constrictions of extremities and umbilical cord can be removed using minimally invasive surgical techniques developed at the DZFT. This makes sense if arterial and venous blood flow signals and movements of the child below the constriction are still visible on ultrasound. In such cases, there is good hope that the affected extremity can still be saved. Removing bands in the umbilical cord area is life-saving!
Important: If a high-grade constriction of a limb or the umbilical cord due to amniotic bands has been detected in your unborn child, there is no time to lose. We will immediately offer you an appointment for a joint assessment and, if necessary, treatment.
If you have any further questions about minimally invasive treatment of this prenatal condition or would like to obtain a second opinion, please contact the DZFT daily between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on 0175/597-1213 or send us an email. If you reach the answering machine, please leave your name and a phone number where we can call you back.
If you have already decided to have the procedure performed at another clinic, we will be happy to advise you in this case as well and offer a prognostic second opinion on your child’s condition.
Please note: The content of our website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace personal advice from us or other recognized medical specialists in this field. For all individual questions and decisions regarding your health and that of your child, we strongly recommend that you and your family members contact us, your doctor, and/or other experts in person.