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Prenatal diagnosis of fetal akinesia deformation sequence (FADS): a study of 79 consecutive cases

  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Fetal akinesia deformation sequence (FADS) is a clinically and genetically heterogenous disorder. In this study, the different sonographic abnormalities are described in a larger number of affected fetuses.

Methods

This retrospective study included 79 cases of suspected FADS observed in our tertiary referral center between January 2001 and February 2015. Electronic stored reports and images of the examination were reviewed as well as autopsy reports and pediatric charts.

Results

In the study population (mean gestational age 23 + 4 weeks) consanguinity, multiple miscarriages or positive family history were present in 31.6 % of cases. Abnormalities of the facial profile (58.3 %) and ankle joint (83.6 %) were detected in the majority of cases. Contractures variably involved knee-, ankle-, wrist- and elbow joint and fingers with no distinct patterns. Additional malformations, most commonly of the brain, were found in 44.3 % of cases. Diagnosis before 20 weeks was associated with nuchal edema in 62.5 and hydrops in 31.3 %. In fetuses evaluated later than 24 weeks, IUGR, increased amniotic fluid or thorax hypoplasia were diagnosed, in 31, 58.8 and 37.9 %, respectively. Termination of pregnancy was requested in 86.1 %, 11 (13.9 %) children were live born. No underlying genetic cause was established, but in one asymptomatic mother myasthenia gravis was revealed.

Conclusions

Fetal akinesia presents with heterogeneous sonographic findings, mostly affecting the profile, elbow-, knee-, ankle joint, wrists and fingers; in most of cases of sporadic nature. Whereas hydrops fetalis and nuchal edema were earlier signs, thorax hypoplasia, polyhydramnios and IUGR were found later in pregnancy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund Freud-Str. 25, 53105, Bonn, Germany

    Astrid Hellmund, Christoph Berg, Annegret Geipel & Ulrich Gembruch

  2. Division of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Christoph Berg

  3. Center of Pediatric Pathology and Pathology, MVZ Venusberg, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany

    Annette Müller

Authors
  1. Astrid Hellmund
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  2. Christoph Berg
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  3. Annegret Geipel
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  4. Annette Müller
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  5. Ulrich Gembruch
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Astrid Hellmund.

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Ethical statement

This is a retrospective study of data routinely achieved and anonymously analyzed in accordance to our local ethics committee. Otherwise the manuscript does not contain clinical studies or patient data.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict or interest.

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Hellmund, A., Berg, C., Geipel, A. et al. Prenatal diagnosis of fetal akinesia deformation sequence (FADS): a study of 79 consecutive cases. Arch Gynecol Obstet 294, 697–707 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-016-4017-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-016-4017-x

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