Fused suprarenal glands in association with central nervous system defects in the first half of foetal life.

Fifty-two abortuses with CNS defects, delivered during the first half of gestation, were examined for the presence of fused suprarenal glands. Three cases were found, the first in an 8 week embryo aborted spontaneously; the second and third in 18 and 20-week foetuses terminated for suspected CNS abnormality. All three had severe vertebral pathology in addition to the fused suprarenals and the CNS defects. It is suggested that the anomaly may be part of a widespread embryonal distortion secondary to disturbance in the vertebral axis. Since going to press, a further case of fused suprarenals has been found in a 22 week female foetus which had anencephaly and complete spina bifida, severe scoliosis and kyphosis, a small omphalocele, absence of the right kidney, a polycystic left kidney and a unicornuate uterus. This case was found among 12 further abortuses with CNS defects.