Amniotic band syndrome: a nursing perspective

Amniotic band syndrome is a disease process that is unfamiliar to many neonatal nurses. It's presentation is variable in both type and severity, and pathophysiology and etiology still mystify those who have studied it in depth. Although better understood today, there remain many unanswered questions. A review of the current literature revealed an abundant supply of medically-based information and also a lack of resources focused on nursing-oriented information. This paper addresses the nursing implications of caring for an infant with amniotic band syndrome. A knowledgeable nurse will be able to assist in the diagnosis of amniotic band syndrome and have a better understanding of how to care for both the infant and his family. Both nursing and medical research needs to continue in this area to gain more knowledge about this complex disease process.