Normally, there are 3 vessels in the umbilical cord. Two of
them are umbilical artery, artery. One of them is the umbilical vein, the balls
are veins. In the first stages of formation of the fetus, there are actually 2
right and left umbilical veins, but the right umbilical vein disappears and
only the left umbilical vein remains.
Normally, arteries in the human body carry clean blood, that
is, oxygen and nutrient-rich blood, the veins carry blood containing dirty
blood, that is, carbon dioxide and waste. This is the opposite of the fetus's
umbilical cord. The umbilical arteries carry dirty blood from the fetus to the
placenta, the umbilical vein carries clean blood from the placenta to the
fetus. In the case of a single umbilical artery, there is a umbilical artery
and an umbilical vein in the umbilical cord.
The presence of a single umbilical artery occurs in 1% of all
single births and in 5% of twins. It is not known exactly why this situation
occurred.
In what
cases is it more common?
- In the presence of diabetes and preeclampsia in the mother
- Olgihodramnios, in the presence of polhidramnios
- Pregnancies with chromosomal anomalies
- Twin pregnancies
- More common in baby girls
- It is more common in twin pregnancies
- Maternal age is advanced
- Multiparite
Diagnosis:
It can be recognized by the fact that ultrasound shows 2
vessels in the umbilical cord instead of 3 and the artery is larger than
normal. Color Doppler can be seen to have a single artery with ultrasound, and
it is observed that there is only one side of the bladder of the fetus.
What is the
importance of having a single umbilical artery?
It has been reported that 20-30% of the fetuses with a single
umbilical artery accompany some other anomalies. These can be various anomalies
such as heart anomalies, digestive system anomalies, kidney and brain
anomalies. Trisomy 18 is the most frequently observed chromosomal anomaly with
a single umbilical artery. Death before or after birth due to these anomalies
is seen in 10-20%. During pregnancy, developmental retardation is observed in
15-20% of fetuses.
The risk of miscarriage and preterm delivery in the single
umbilical artery has also increased.
Almost half of the fetuses with a single umbilical artery are
born completely healthy and without any anomaly.
Follow-up
of pregnancy:
When a single umbilical artery is detected during pregnancy,
it is absolutely necessary to investigate whether other anomalies accompany it.
Fetal echocardiography should be performed. If other anomalies are found to be
accompanied, amniocentesis can be performed for fetal chromosomal examination
for chromosomal anomaly investigation. Although the risk of chromosomal anomaly
is low when no other anomaly is detected, amniocentesis can be decided by discussing
this risk with the family. In order to develop fetal growth retardation, it
should be followed up with ultrasound measurements. Ultrasound is recommended
to investigate "kidney" anomalies after birth.
-ANAL ATRESIA
-ANENCEPHALY
-CONGENITAL ANOMALIES
-DOWN SYNDROME (TRISOMY 21)
-ECHOGENIC INTRACARDIAC FOCUS
