Amniotic bands in paternal half-siblings

Abstract

We present two paternal half-siblings with constriction rings and limb reduction deformities, which seem to have been caused by amniotic bands. Their father has no evidence of amniotic bands nor any other congenital malformations and there is no wider family history of such malformations. There are few other reports of familial amniotic bands and these are either in mother–child pairs, siblings or in distant relatives. This is the first report of recurrence in paternal half-siblings. Although no exact cause can be identified, this suggests that some genetic fetal factor, or factors, must be responsible for the amniotic bands in these cases.