Limb-reduction defects and chorionic villus sampling

Chorion villus sampling and limb deficiency—cause or coincidence?

“…Moreover, oromandibular limb hypogenesis syndromes are extremely rare with a prevalence of approximately 1/175 000 liveborns (Froster and Baird, 1992). During the process of sampling, a tiny part of the integrity of the extracorporeal circulation of the fetus is disrupted when villi are avulsed from the chorion.…”

Transverse limb deficiency, oro‐mandibular limb hypogenesis sequences, and chorionic villus biopsy: Human and animal experimental evidence for a uterine vascular pathogenesis

“…Facial-limb hypogenesis syndromes are extremely rare. F'roster-Iskenius and Baird, 1989 andBaird [1992] estimated on incidence of 0-057110,000 live births, as a minimum estimate as findings of such as hypoglossia and cranial nerve palsies are underestimated at birth. The occurrence of limb defects and facial-limb hypogenesis syndrome after CVS is uncommon [Lilford, 19911. Both thromboembolism from the placenta [Scott, 19911 and entrapment of limb in exocoelomic gel [Shepherd et al, 19911 and embolisation of fetal vessels with trophoblast broken off by placental trauma [Rodeck, 19931 have been proposed as causative.…”

Arthrogryposis (multiple congenital contractures) associated with failed termination of pregnancy

“…Early amniocentesis and early CVS studies showed an increase in limb anomalies together with contractures, including clubfeet and arthrogryposis and these reported changes were compatible with vascular compromise [Singh et al, 1974;Cheng et al, 1991;Brambati et al, 1992;Froster and Baird, 1992;Halliday et al, 1992;Hanson et al, 1992;Greenough and Nicolaides, 1997;Stranc et al, 1997;Sundberg et al, 1997;Babay et al, 1998;Boyd et al, 1998;Stoler et al, 1999]. Maternal cocaine use during pregnancy, which also alters vascular supply, has been associated with congenital contractures suggesting that vascular compromise may play a role in this type of limb anomaly [Acker et al, 1983;Chavez et al, 1989;Lipson et al, 1989;Handler et al, 1991].…”