my unborn grandson has been diagnosed with vacterl association. He has the renal involvement, missing and mishapen limbs and the anal malformation. I'm just trying to help my son and daughter-in-law decide if they will terminate the pregnancy or go to full term. What are the chances the baby will live past birth?
I completely understand your problem and I am share your concern.
VACTERL is associated with multiple defects. Whether the baby will survive or not depends upon the extent of vital organ involvement. If cardiac and renal defects are major ones then most of the babies die inside the uterus. Also if the tracheo esophageal defects are major the babies do not survive after birth. Some may be born alive but do not survive. However if the baby has minor heart and kidney issues but major involvement in limbs then it survives.
So it is a decision that must be taken with a lot of care. Please consider about the life of such a baby should it survive and then decide. Also carrying such pregnancies to term is also a stressful event for the mother as well as the family. So please consider all this and then decide.
I do understand your position and I am sure you will consider all pros and cons and then make a wise decision.
Take care.
Dr Madhuri Bagde Consultant Ob gyn
I find this answer helpful
You found this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
We use cookies in order to offer you most relevant experience and using this website you acknowledge that you have already read and understood our
Privacy Policy
Should Pregnancy Be Terminated?
Hello and welcome, I completely understand your problem and I am share your concern. VACTERL is associated with multiple defects. Whether the baby will survive or not depends upon the extent of vital organ involvement. If cardiac and renal defects are major ones then most of the babies die inside the uterus. Also if the tracheo esophageal defects are major the babies do not survive after birth. Some may be born alive but do not survive. However if the baby has minor heart and kidney issues but major involvement in limbs then it survives. So it is a decision that must be taken with a lot of care. Please consider about the life of such a baby should it survive and then decide. Also carrying such pregnancies to term is also a stressful event for the mother as well as the family. So please consider all this and then decide. I do understand your position and I am sure you will consider all pros and cons and then make a wise decision. Take care. Dr Madhuri Bagde Consultant Ob gyn