AbstractTwo cases are reported of the association of a group of abnormalities defined as the Vater syndrome, together with a hypothesis, based on the presence of normal cell death during embryogenesis, on how they occur together so frequently. Althouh the medhanism of normal cell death is unknown, adjacent cells are probably affected sublethaly and subsequently recover. A teratogenic situation introduced simultaneously with the occurrence of normal cell death may further diminish the viability of those adjacent cells, causing increase in the necorotic zone and loss of both normal tissue and growth potential.