Apple Peel Atresia with Isolated Fetal Ascites and Digit Anomalies

Excerpt

To the Editor: We present a case of isolated massive fetal ascites associated with apple peel intestinal atresia and unique digit anomalies in which prenatal ultrasonography findings such as bowel dilatation, intraabdominal calcifications and increased bowel echogenicity were absent. He was born to a 32-y-old gravida 1 para 1 mother (nonconsanguineous parents) via C-section at the gestational age of 32 wk due to preterm labor related to severe polyhydramnios. Prenatal history revealed isolated fetal ascites in the 16th wk of gestation. Amniocentesis showed normal karyotyping, cystic fibrosis genetic screening and infection screen were negative. At birth he had severe abdominal distention due to massive ascites causing respiratory distress. The birth weight was 1600 g (10-50p), height was 40 cm (10p) and the head circumference was 29.5 cm (50p). Anomalies were noted in the hands and feet; with brachydactyly, anonychia/onychodystrophy of multiple fingers of both hands and syndactyly of 2nd and 3rd toes of the right foot. Urgent laparotomy was performed because of pneumoperitoneum on the first day of life, revealing 300 ml of clear serous fluid and isolated jejunoileal atresia type IIIB (apple peel atresia) with 20 cm proximal and 6 cm distal small intestinal segments. The proximal perforated atretic bowel end and distal atretic bowel end were resected and primary anastomosis was performed. The multiple digit anomalies were confirmed with skeletal survey. Unfortunately, he developed cholestasis and severe sepsis in the post-operative period and died. …