A REVIEW OF LIMB DEFECTS IN A LARGE FETUS COLLECTION

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 35  (3) , 508-519
Abstract
Although a considerable number of papers were published dealing with the frequency and variety of genetic and nongenetic limb defects in newborns, and to a lesser extent among embryos, little was published about the range of limb defects among spontaneously aborted middle and late-term fetuses. This study reports on 133 limb defects from the Central Laboratory for Human Embryology (CLHE), Seattle, Washington, [USA]. These constitute 34.1% of the total defective specimens in the collection and 5.4% of the total collection population. Of the limb defects described, 30% indicate a definite recurrence risk, 27% do not indicate recurrence and the recurrence risk for 43% is unknown. The most interesting findings from this study include the observation that reduction defects affect predominantly the preaxial side of the upper limb and that addition defects (polydactyly) affect predominantly the postaxial side of the lower limb. The observation in relation to reduction defects agrees with USA newborn studies. The observation in relation to polydactyly is exactly opposite the studies of Latin American [South America] newborns and Japanese embryos.

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