Limb-body wall complex: Literature review and case report

Area of Science:

• Developmental biology
• Teratology
• Prenatal diagnosis

Background:

• Body wall anomalies encompass diverse malformations, with Limb-Body Wall Complex (LBWC) being the most severe presentation.
• LBWC involves life-threatening craniofacial, body wall, and limb defects, with uncertain etiology possibly linked to gastrulation or angiogenesis issues.

Observation:

• A stillborn male infant presented at 31 weeks gestation with a large body wall defect, organ herniation, and meromelia of the right lower limb.
• The infant was the product of the first pregnancy in a 15-year-old mother.

Findings:

• Limb-Body Wall Complex (LBWC) is a severe and invariably fatal condition.
• While specific risk factors for LBWC are not well-established, teenage pregnancy is a known risk for other body wall anomalies.

Implications:

• Accurate diagnosis of LBWC is crucial for differentiating it from other conditions requiring specific prenatal or postnatal management.
• This case underscores the importance of considering maternal factors in the context of severe congenital malformations.