Teratology
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A case of prune belly syndrome (PBS) in a 22 week male fetus is described. All the features characteristic of the syndrome were present: absence of abdominal muscle; dilatation of the bladder, ureters, and renal pelves; and undescended testes. In addition, there was marked ascites. ⋯ The prostate was thin-walled and its urethra greatly expanded. The testes lay close to the corresponding ureters and each ductus deferens was only partially present. It is considered that prostatic dysgenesis and fetal ascites are key factors in the causation of PBS.
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We investigated the incidence of birth defects in the offspring of women who took Bendectin during pregnancy. Copies of all prescriptions issued for Bendectin in two Cities, Leeds and Liverpool, over periods of 12 and 14 months, respectively, were scanned and a record initiated for each patient. ⋯ Births were traced for 2,298 patients and the incidence of major defects compared with those in the relevant populations. We found no evidence to suggest that Bendectin is teratogenic in humans.