Abstract
A case of amniotic band syndrome (ABS) was reported and the embryogenesis of this syndrome was discussed. A 1195-g female was delivered by cesarean section at 31 weeks of gestation. The anterior wall of the abdomen was almost absent and all abdominal organs were extrophic and uncovered. The umbilical cord was only 10cm long. On the left hemicycle of the ruptured wall, an umbilical cord like structure was attached. The liver was abnormally lobulated and an accessory spleen was present. She had scoliosis of high grade and left pes varus. Her abdominal wall was bridged by Silastic silo. She died of cardiopulmonary insufficiency two days after birth. Although the short umbilical cord seems to have played a critical etiologic role in most of the anomalies in this case, a more sophisticated explanation is necessary to integrate the complex of anomalies found in ABS.
