Fetal Treatment Program of New England

Prune Belly Syndrome

A rare condition of the urinary system that affects one in 40,000 births—approximately 97% of which are male—prune belly syndrome involves three main birth defects: poor development of the abdominal muscles (causing the skin to wrinkle like a prune), undescended testicles and urinary tract problems.

Diagnosed through ultrasound, babies are often best treated with early reconstructive surgery post birth. In rare cases, we may recommend fetal intervention.