Potters Syndrome Pictures

What is Potter’s Syndrome?

When the neonate or the fetus is subjected to oligohydramnios and compression while in the uterus, then it results in the formation of atypical features in the neonate and the condition is called potter’s syndrome. Oligohydramnios refers to the decrease in or lack of amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus and protects it. Oligohydramnios may be caused due to conditions such as renal hypoplasia, obstructive uropathy, premature or early rupture of membranes and cystic kidney diseases

Potter’s Syndrome Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of Potter’s syndrome are as follows:

• Infants with Potter’s syndrome may develop pulmonary hypoplasia. The severity of pulmonary hypoplasia depends on the seriousness of oligohydramnios and its duration as well as the lung development stage at which oligohydramnios takes place.
• Facial features include a receding chin, conspicuous epicanthal folds, a flattened nose and low-set abnormal ears.
• Skeletal deformities or malformations such sacral agenesis, anomalies of the limbs and hemivertebrae may exist.
• Trouble breathing.
• The neonates may have a renal pelvis, dilated ureters, poor or incomplete abdominal wall and testes that have not descended.
• Cardiovascular defects such as tetralogy of Fallot, defect of the endocardial cushion, ventricular septal malformation as well as patent ductus arteriosus may exist.
• Defects in the eyes like optic disc area malformations, cataracts, expulsive hemorrhage and lens prolapse may exist.
• Lack of urine output.

Potter’s Syndrome Pictures

Picture 1 : Potters Syndrome photo

 

 

Picture 2 : Amniotic fluid

Image source : ADAM Inc

Picture 3 : Broad nasal bridge in Potters Syndrome

Image source : ADAM Inc

 

Potter’s syndrome Causes

Some of the causes of Potter’s syndrome are listed below:

• Kidney failure is the main cause of the development of Potters syndrome in neonates. The kidneys help in the production of amniotic fluid from urine. When there are defects in the kidneys, this function is affected resulting in Potter’s syndrome.
• Premature tear or rupture of the membranes.
• Obstructive uropathy
• Multicystic renal dysplasia

Potter’s Syndrome Treatment

• Potter’s syndrome is a fatal disease and an early diagnosis through an abdomen x-ray may assist the parents to arrive at conclusive treatment methods after consultations with physicians.
• Resuscitation may be required after the delivery of the child.

If the child survives the delivery, then all the ailments of the child has to be treated. The treatment includes:

• Nasogastric feeding may be required to provide the child with essential nutrients and a healthy diet that includes calcium carbonate, iron, and vitamin D
• A child who does not grow at a normal rate may be given growth hormones.
• Medications may be used to treat conditions like anemia, hypertension, etc. and other disorders associated with Potter’s syndrome.