[Asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy: a case report].

Asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy (ATD) is a rare case of autosomal recessive disease. We report a case of full term female infant, who was noted to have small chest cage with severe respiratory distress soon after birth. On physical examination. The chest wall was fixed and small with the narrowest circumference about 29 cm in size, general cyanosis and distended abdomen were noted, there was a umbilical hernia around 1 cm in diameter. Otherwise, no other gross anomalies were found. Radiologic studies revealed short and horizontal ribs, small lung volume but depressed diaphragm, the clavicles and the spine were normal. The abdomen and long bone series all showed negative findings. The patient died of respiratory failure at 18 hours after birth. Autopsy was documented as a case of ATD. According to family history, there was one sibling die in the similar condition, although no autopsy available. Because the disease is transmitted as autosomal recessive trait, so 25% of next sibling will get the same condition. Therefore genetic consulting is necessary.