Pentalogy of Cantrell: case report and review of the literature.

Pentalogy of Cantrell is a syndrome that consists of five anomalies: a midline, upper abdominal wall abnormality; lower sternal defect; anterior diaphragmatic defect; diaphragmatic pericardial defect, and congenital abnormalities of the heart. The pathogenesis of this condition is not fully known yet, associations are common with this condition and treatment is extremely challenging. Prognosis and outcome depends on the type of the pentalogy of Cantrell and associated cardiac anomalies. It can be diagnosed reliably by antenatal ultrasound during the first trimester. We describe a Sudanese baby of undetermined sex who had the typical features of pentalogy of Cantrell and died shortly after birth.