Prepartum diagnosis of limb-shortening defects with associated hydramnios.

Two cases of skeletal dysplasia with limb-shortening abnormalities are presented. In association with the skeletal abnormalities, gross hydramnios was noted. A review of the existing literature reveals that coexistent fetal skeletal dysplasia and hydramnios have an extremely poor prognosis, especially in the nonachondroplastic patient with singleton fetus. The two cases presented here and the accompanying review emphasize the importance of recognizing this association in providing appropriate counseling to parents.