Absent fetal hand: a case report

Isolated congenital fetal hand malformation is a rare finding (1) . The prevalence of limb reduction deformities is about 3–8 per 20,000 births (2) . An isolated amputation of an extremity can be due to amniotic band syndrome, exposure to a teratogen or a vascular accident (2) . A comprehensive obstetric ultrasonographic assessment as well as genetic counselling are ideal when a fetal hand abnormality is detected, so as to determine whether a karyotype analysis is appropriate. We report a case of an absent left fetal hand and explore the parental distress with the diagnosis at almost 20 weeks of gestation. This case also highlights parental perception of medical inertia in terminating a pregnancy of this gestational age and complication.