Challenging diagnosis of prune belly syndrome antenatally: a case report

Prune belly syndrome is a rare congenital condition of uncertain etiology. It is characterized with a triad of abdominal distension due to deficient abdominal wall, genitourinary tract anomalies, and musculoskeletal anomalies. This condition varies in its severity which makes diagnosis challenging during early antenatal scanning.

We reported a severe phenotype of prune belly syndrome which was not fully suspected in a 29-year-old Saudi woman was G4T2P0A1L2 at 21 weeks of gestation at the time of early antenatal presentation; however, it became apparent during diagnosis at a subsequent follow-up scan during advanced gestational age.

We conclude that suspicion of such anomalies through an early antenatal scan require an urgent further follow-up scan in a tertiary center. The referral to the tertiary center must be to an experienced ultrasonographer and maternal-fetal medicine specialist for a decision to be made antenatally regarding the course of pregnancy and post-delivery management based on the severity of the condition.