Definition of Prune belly syndrome:
Prune belly syndrome is a group of birth abnormalities marked by three major findings:
- Lack of development of abdominal muscles, causing the skin of the belly area to wrinkle like a prune
- Undescended testicles
- Urinary tract problems
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
The underlying causes of prune belly syndrome are unknown. It affects mostly boys.
When in the womb, the developing baby's abdomen swells with fluid. That fluid disappears after birth, leading to a wrinkled abdomen that looks like a prune. The appearance is more noticeable because of the lack of enough abdominal muscles.
