Significance of foetal autopsy in diagnosis of VACTERL association

VACTERL association occurs in 1 10000- 40000 live births and is associated with vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac malformations, tracheoesophageal fistula, renal dysplasia limb defects. A 19-week-old male foetus antenatal diagnosis of foetal hydronephrosis on ultrasound the left kidney was medically terminated brought for autopsy. No other malformation reported scan. On autopsy, facial abnormalities, upper lower coronal clefts imperforate anus a two vesselumbilical cord were found. Both environmental genetic factors are considered to be responsible this association. The present case illustrates importance autopsy making definitive missed sonographic findings like atresia absence upper- lower-limb bones.