Demographic and perinatal outcome data of fetuses with SUA/PRUV.

AIM: Identify structural anomalies and adverse pregnancy outcomes accompanying single umbilical artery (SUA) and persistent right umbilical vein (PRUV) and to investigate whether SUA and PRUV are associated with chromosomal abnormalities and if these defects warrant invasive antenatal diagnosis.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed pregnancies with an antenatal diagnosis of SUA/PRUV from the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital (IPMCHH) database. Data of structural malformations, fetal karyotyping, and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS: Results revealed that 13.9 and 7% of SUA and PRUV cases, respectively, had malformations. Furthermore, 60% of the malformations accompanying SUA were isolated congenital heart disease (CHD), and 50% of the malformations accompanying PRUV were multiple malformations including CHD. All primarily diagnosed isolated PRUV (iPRUV) cases and 92.6% of primarily diagnosed iSUA cases had normal fetal echocardiography. Cases of iSUA and iPRUV with indications of invasive antenatal diagnosis showed no chromosomal abnormalities. The emergency cesarean section rate did not differ between the study population and the IPMCHH general population (p = .184).

CONCLUSION: Patients of SUA and PRUV diagnosed in secondary hospitals should be referred to tertiary medical center for further ultrasonography. SUA and PRUV are not indicators for invasive antenatal diagnosis and selective cesarean section.