Arthrogryposis

Arthrogryposis, or congenital defects of the joints, affects approximately 1 out of every 3,000 live births. The condition is present at birth and is generally the cause of decreased fetal movement.

A normal fetus is capable of moving about in the uterus and they need to move to develop their muscles and joints. When a fetus does not move very much, connective tissue grows around joints and stabilizes it.

The most common causes for a baby not to move in utero are abnormalities in the central nervous system (spina bifida, muscular atrophy or brain malformations), maternal infections, maternal fever, drug and alcohol use and too little amniotic fluid.

Most infants that suffer from this condition have deformed wrists and ankles and the joints in their legs and arms are often thin and not moveable. It is not uncommon for the hips to be dislocated. A prenatal ultrasound may show signs of the disorder, but an actual diagnosis will be assessed at birth.

Treatment for this disorder includes physical therapy, splints and surgery.