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Fetal prognosis in varix of the intrafetal umbilical vein.
Author(s) -
Sepulveda W,
Mackenna A,
Sanchez J,
Corral E,
Carstens E
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1550-9613
pISSN - 0278-4297
DOI - 10.7863/jum.1998.17.3.171
Subject(s) - medicine , varix , fetus , umbilical vein , in utero , abnormality , gestational age , obstetrics , pregnancy , gestation , prenatal diagnosis , varices , surgery , psychiatry , biology , in vitro , genetics , biochemistry , chemistry , cirrhosis
To assess the clinical significance of varix of the intraabdominal portion of the umbilical vein, we reviewed 10 cases diagnosed prenatally by ultrasonography at a median gestational age of 27 weeks. A comprehensive anatomic survey and serial follow‐up scans were performed in each case. All three fetuses with associated anomalies died in utero, and prenatal karyotyping revealed that two of them had a chromosomal abnormality. In six of the seven cases with structurally normal fetuses the pregnancy proceeded uneventfully, and no neonatal complications were attributed to the umbilical vein varix. Our experience and the review of the literature revealed 42 cases with information on fetal outcome. Overall, 24% of the fetuses died, 12% had a chromosomal abnormality, and 5% developed hydrops. We conclude that fetuses with varix of the intrafetal umbilical vein should be considered at risk for poor outcome. However, if no other anomalies are present, the prognosis is generally good.