What Causes Amniotic Band Syndrome / ABS?
There are several theories as to the cause of Amniotic Band Syndrome / ABS. The most widely accepted is a rupture of the amnion occuring early in gestation. The fibrous bands of amnion that occur from the amniotic rupture encircle the limbs, resulting in tourniquet-like defects and intrauterine amputations.The timing of the rupture is believed to occur between 28 days after conception to 18 weeks of gestation. However, late bands can occur and present at birth with multiple abnormalities of the limbs, even after a normal sonogram was performed earlier in gestation.
