LIMB BODY WALL COMPLEX
What is Limb body wall complex? There is not a lot of information on limb body wall complex. There are a few different names for this diagnosis, the other ones are limb body wall anomaly and body stalk anomaly.
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Limb body wall complex (LBWC) is a condition characterized by multiple, sever congenital abnormalities in a fetus. It normally results in openings in the anterior body wall, for example, the chest or belly, and defects on the limbs. Other features of LBWC may include facial clefts, short or missing umbilical cord, scoliosis, neural tube defects, club foot, an omphalocele, and abnormalities of organs such as kidneys or bladder.
How is LBWC detected?
LBWC is suspected if a short or absent umbilical cord is seen at the time of your ultrasound, if the baby is in a fixed and awkward position throughout the scan or if there appear to be any abnormalities of the face or abdomen.
What causes LBWC?
The cause of LBWC is unknown but it is thought to result from problems in the way the early pregnancy develops. If the embryo doesn’t fold and twist properly, or if there is an interruption in the blood supply to vital organs, this can set off a series of steps that result in severe fetal abnormalities. Most of the time, the baby’s face or organs which are supposed to be in the abdomen are attached to the placenta. According to research, there is no cure for this diagnosis and it is considered fatal.
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What is an omphalocele? This is a condition where the organs form inside of the umbilical cord but on the outside of the body.
Omphalocele is a rare birth defect that occurs in 1 in 4,000 — 7,000 live births. It is a type of abdominal wall defect in which the bowel, liver and other abdominal organs extend into the abdomen near the base of the umbilical cord.
Omphalocele occurs very early in pregnancy when the abdominal wall fails to form normally. During typical fetal development, the intestines extend outside the fetal abdomen into the umbilical cord, then return back into the abdomen by about 11 weeks of gestation. If this process does not occur, an omphalocele develops.
No specific genetic mutation has been shown to cause an abdominal wall defect, and most cases of omphalocele are sporadic, meaning there is no history of other relatives with this diagnosis. However, omphalocele is a feature of many genetic syndromes, and affected individuals may have additional birth defects associated with these genetic changes.
We are taking is day by day and praying constantly that Oakley will continue to fight and heal! We are always ready to personally answer any questions that you have have on LBWC.
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