EARLY SONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF BODY STALK ANOMALY

Ultrasonographic features of a fetus at 18 weeks of gestation suggesting a body stalk anomaly are presented. These included a large abdominal anterior wall defect in apparent continuity with the placenta, severe kyphoscoliosis of the lower spine, the absence of one kidney, and a very short umbilical cord with only one umbilical artery. The amniotic fluid was reduced and the fetus was almost immobile at short‐interval ultrasound examinations. The pregnancy was terminated and autopsy of the fetus showed abnormalities compatible with maldevelopment of both cephalic and caudal embryonic folds. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.