Amniogenic bands as a cause of syndactyly in a young human fetus

A fetus spontaneously aborted in the 4th month of gestation is described. The fetus displayed nonsymmetrical syndactyly of both hands and partial amputation of fingers in one hand caused by a dense tissue microscopically found to be composed of multiple folds of amnion. The placenta was examined, and showed severe pathology: multiple hematomas, infarctions, and fibrosis. The possible mode of formation of amniogenic bands is discussed and correlated with the clinical history and pathology of the placenta and membranes.