Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 17, Issue 3 171-175, Copyright © 1998 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Fetal prognosis in varix of the intrafetal umbilical vein
W. Sepulveda, A. Mackenna, J. Sanchez, E. Corral and E. Carstens
Fetal Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinica Las Condes, Casilla, Santiago, Chile.
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.
