Limb-body wall complex

Disease Overview

Limb-body wall complex (LBWC) is a condition characterized by multiple, severe congenital abnormalities in a fetus. It typically results in openings in the anterior body wall (chest and belly) and defects of the limbs (arms and legs). Other features of LBWC may include facial clefts; a short or missing umbilical cord; scoliosis; neural tube defects; and abnormalities of the urogenital organs (i.e. kidney, bladder, and/or genitals). The exact cause of LBWC is unclear. Unfortunately, there is no cure for LBWC and it is considered to be incompatible with life (fatal).[8593][8594][8595] The majority of affected pregnancies end in fetal demise.[11727]

Synonyms

• Short umbilical cord syndrome
• Umbilical cord, short
• Body stalk anomaly
• Aplasia of the cord
• Cyllosomas
• Limb body wall complex