Prenatal diagnosis of the Meckel syndrome

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Abstract
Prenatal diagnosis of the Meckel syndrome was made at 20 wk of gestation from the findings of a biparietal diameter smaller than expected for gestational age, a grossly raised amniotic fluid .alpha.fetoprotein level and a rapid growth of fetal macrophages after 20 h culture. Termination at 23 wk of gestation resulted in a male fetus with an occipital encephalocele, microcephaly, polydactyly and bilateral polycystic kidneys. This case report emphasises the importance for genetic counseling of delineating the Meckel syndrome from the multifactorial cases of neural tube defects. In some cases the syndrome can be diagnosed in utero.