Asymptomatic bands on an infant's extremity

Abstract

A 9-month-old, otherwise healthy African American boy presented for "indentations" on his skin since birth. The mother reported asymptomatic constrictions on the right arm and left leg. Two constrictions persisted and others improved. The child did not have any pain in the area or growth abnormalities.The mother's pregnancy was uneventful until the delivery. A caesarean section was needed because of fetal distress and failure to progress. No tests were performed during pregnancy that required withdrawal of amniotic fluid.Physical examination revealed two linear, circumferential constrictions on the right upper arm and left lower leg (Figures 1 and 2) and hypopigmented circumferential patches on the left arm and right leg. An unrelated finding of hypospadias was also noted.

Malformations and Genodermatoses

“…Early amniotic rupture is believed to cause severe craniofacial malformations (encephalocele, meningocele, anencephaly, cleft lip and palate, nasal deformities, microphthalmia), visceral defects (gastroschisis, omphalocele), neural tube and body wall defects, some of which are incompatible with life. Constriction bands circumferentially encircle phalanges or extremities (Mehta et al 2018), more frequently in the distal sections and at the arms, more rarely also at the neck and torso. Usually the furrows are 1-3 mm wide and 2-4 mm deep and cause peripheral edema due to the disturbed lymphatic and venous reflux, occasionally also damage of sensory or motor nerves.…”