National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Amniotic band syndrome


Other Names:
Amniotic bands sequence; Familial amniotic bands; Streeter anomaly; Amniotic bands sequence; Familial amniotic bands; Streeter anomaly; Congenital constricting bands See More
Categories:
Amniotic band syndrome refers to a condition in which bands develop from the inner lining of the amnion. The amnion is the sac that surrounds the baby in the womb. As the baby develops in the womb, the bands may attach to and affect the development of different areas of the body. This may result in constriction of the affected area or even amputation. The signs and symptoms vary greatly depending on the area(s) of the body involved and may include: shortened or absent digits (fingers and/or toes) or limbs (arms and/or legs), an opening in the abdomen through which various abdominal organs can protrude (abdominal wall defects), protrusion of a portion of the brain and its surrounding membranes through a skull defect (encephalocele), and cleft lip and/or palate. In most instances, the cause of amniotic bands remains unknown. Researchers have suggested two main theories to explain the development: the extrinsic theory and the intrinsic theory. The extrinsic theory states that amniotic band syndrome occurs due to factors found outside of the developing baby (externally); the intrinsic theory states that amniotic band syndrome occurs due to factors found within the baby (internally). Treatment differs depending on the severity of the condition and the areas of the body affected and may include surgery, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.[1][2][3]
Last updated: 3/21/2017
The symptoms of amniotic band syndrome depend on the severity and location of the constrictions. The mildest constrictions affect only the superficial skin and may not require treatment. Deeper constrictions may block lymphatic vessels, impair blood flow, and require immediate surgical care.[1] When the bands affect the limbs, the lower part of the limbs are most often involved, especially the middle, long, and index fingers of the hand. When the feet are involved, the bands most commonly affect the big toe.[1]

Pressure from the bands may result in additional abnormalities, such as underdevelopment of a limb, bone abnormalities, amputations, leg-length discrepancy, and club feet. Constriction bands across the head and face may lead to facial clefts. Severe clefts affecting vital organs are often life-threatening.[1]

Last updated: 11/1/2013

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

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Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Abnormal lung lobation 0002101
Abnormality of the rib cage 0001547
Bladder exstrophy 0002836
Cleft palate
Cleft roof of mouth
0000175
Cleft upper lip
Harelip
0000204
Ectopia cordis 0001683
Encephalocele 0002084
Eyelid coloboma
Cleft eyelid
Notched eyelid
[ more ] 		0000625
Facial cleft
Cleft of the face
0002006
Gastroschisis 0001543
Hand polydactyly
Extra finger
0001161
Omphalocele 0001539
Scoliosis 0002650
Sporadic
No previous family history
0003745
Syndactyly
Webbed fingers or toes
0001159
Talipes equinovarus
Club feet
Club foot
Clubfeet
Clubfoot
[ more ] 		0001762
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Last updated: 7/1/2020
Amniotic bands are caused by damage to a part of the placenta called the amnion. Damage to the amnion may produce fiber-like bands that can trap parts of the developing baby.[4] 
Last updated: 11/1/2013
The earliest reported detection of an amniotic band is at 12 weeks gestation, by vaginal ultrasound.[5] On ultrasound the bands appear as thin, mobile lines, which may be seen attached to or around the baby.[6] However these bands may be difficult to detect by ultrasound, and are more often diagnosed by the results of the fusion, such as missing or deformed limbs.
Last updated: 11/1/2013
Mild cases may not require treatment, however all bands need monitoring as growth occurs to watch for progressive constriction and swelling. Other constrictions may require surgical management; surgical options will vary depending on the abnormality. People with amniotic band syndrome who have amputations may benefit from the use of prosthetics.[1]
Last updated: 10/3/2013
Because the prognosis of people with amniotic band syndrome can vary from patient to patient, the best person to provide your family with information regarding your child's prognosis, is the health care providers involved in their care. In general, the outlook for infants with a single band involving the superficial skin of the wrist and/or hand is good. While the family and child will need to adjust to the cosmetic difference, the functional use of the hand is normal. Deeper bands can be associated with complications (i.e., blockage of lymph and blood vessels) that can worsen over time and may require surgery. Some people with amniotic band syndrome are born with acrosyndactyly, a fusion of the fingers that may limit the hand function and cause stiffness of the joints. In many cases a good ability to hold and grasp may be obtained with reconstructive procedures.[1]
Last updated: 11/1/2013

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • The Centers for Mendelian Genomics program is working to discover the causes of rare genetic disorders. For more information about applying to the research study, please visit their website.
  • Orphanet lists European clinical trials, research studies, and patient registries enrolling people with this condition. 

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
  • More information on limb abnormalities can be found at the following link from MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine Web site designed to help you research your health questions.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • MeSH® (Medical Subject Headings) is a terminology tool used by the National Library of Medicine. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Amniotic band syndrome. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

  1. Do TT. Amniotic Band Syndrome (Streeter Dysplasia). Medscape Reference. August 22, 2016; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1260337-overview.
  2. Holmes LB. Amniotic Band Syndrome. NORD. 2015; https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/amniotic-band-syndrome/.
  3. Barros M, Gorgal G, Machado AP, Ramalho C, Matias A, Montenegro N. Revisiting Amniotic Band Sequence: A Wide Spectrum of Manifestations. Fetal Diagn Ther. 2014; 35:51-56. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24247024.
  4. Kimberly G Lee. Amniotic constriction bands . Medline Plus. December 14, 2009; http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001579.htm. Accessed 10/17/2013.
  5. Amniotic Band Syndrome / ABS: An Overview of Amniotic Band Syndrome. The Fetal Care Center of Cincinatti. 2005; http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/f/fetal-care/conditions/abs/default/. Accessed 10/17/2013.
  6. Wehbeh H et al. Obstet Gynecol. 1993; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8459968. Accessed 10/17/2013.