What is amniotic band syndrome?
Amniotic band syndrome is a rare condition caused by strands of the amniotic sac that separate and entangle digits, limbs, or other parts of the fetus. This constriction can cause a variety of problems depending on where strands are located and how tightly they are wrapped. The developing fetus floats in amniotic fluid in the mother’s uterus. What keeps the fluid around the fetus and in the uterus is a sac. This sac has 2 layers which are stuck together: the outermost layer which lines the uterus is called the “chorion”, and the layer closer to the fetus is called the “amnion”. It is believed that amniotic band syndrome occurs when the inner membrane (amnion) ruptures, or tears, without injury to the outer membrane (chorion). The developing fetus is still floating in fluid but is then exposed to the floating tissue (bands) from the ruptured amnion. This floating tissue can become entangled around the fetus. The incidence of amniotic band syndrome is 1 in 1200 to 1 to 15,000 live births
