Abstract
Introduction: Intra-uterine vascular deficiency of the upper limbs is very rare.
Materials & Methods: Thirty two cases collected by 118 paediatric surgeons (GEOP) over the last 20 years were presented
Results: This series illustrates the large range of presentations of vascular deficiencies, from total ischaemia of both upper limbs to small scars of the hand. Three infants had diabetic mothers; nine children had a cerebral infarction; non disturbed haematologic screening was found; three new born had an intra-uterine thrombotic event.
Discussion: Our hypothesis is that such an intra-uterine thrombotic pathology can lead to thromboembolism. The embolus passing through the foramen ovale, arrives in the high pressure circulation and is transported directly to the upper limbs and brain. The size of embolus corresponds with the extent of the necrosis.
The abstracts were prepared by Editorial Secretary, Mr Robin W Paton. Correspondence should be addressed to BSCOS at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35– 43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN
