Prenatal diagnosis of body stalk anomaly in the first trimester of pregnancy

Abstract

Ultrasound examination in a 10-week fetus demonstrated a marked deformity of the lower half of the fetus that was in the celomic cavity, and the upper half of the body was in the amniotic sac. There was abdominal wall defect with herniation of the liver and bowel, the lower limbs were deformed and the umbilical cord was short and thin. These abnormalities were suggestive of body stalk anomaly. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathological examination after termination of the pregnancy at 18 weeks.