Forty children were managed for prune-belly syndrome between 1979 and
1989, and twenty-five of them had musculoskeletal abnormalities. The
musculoskeletal abnormalities were primary in twenty-two children,
secondary to renal osteodystrophy in one, and both primary and secondary to
renal osteodystrophy in two. Thirteen children had marked abnormality of
the hip, and congenital dislocation was typically resistant to conventional
treatment. Scoliosis was seen in seven patients. Pectus excavatum (a
chest-wall deformity) was seen in eleven patients, including five of the
six who had an idiopathic-like curve. Although prune-belly syndrome is
uncommon, the diagnosis necessitates a thorough orthopaedic evaluation
because of the high prevalence of associated musculoskeletal
abnormalities.