diaphragmatic defect-limb deficiency-skull defect syndrome
This syndrome is characterized by the association of classical diaphragmatic hernia (Bochdalek type) with severe lung hypoplasia, and variable associated malformations. It has been reported only once in four successive fetuses (two females and two males) born to a nonconsanguineous couple. The spectrum of malformations is wide and includes, besides diaphragmatic hernia and hypoplastic lungs (present in the four fetuses), omphalocele (one case), severe limb hypoplasia (two cases), syndactyly of the toes (two cases), extra spleen (one case), and an ossification defect of the skull (one case). Inheritance seems either to be autosomal recessive or due to a gonadal mosaicism in one parent. Prenatal diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia and severe lung hypoplasia detected on ultrasonography made the parents opt for termination of the four pregnancies.