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Fetal Circulation

Fetal Circulation

Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates

State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates

Published on: February 2, 2015

Neonate with a single umbilical vessel: a case report.

D Radford Shanklin¹, Jie Zhang

¹Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, 930 Madison Avenue, Suite 599, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. radfordcrawford@juno.com

The Journal of Reproductive Medicine

|August 19, 2007

Summary

A severely malformed infant with a single umbilical artery survived only 62 minutes, highlighting the placenta's role in fetal development despite severe congenital anomalies.

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Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates

Published on: December 31, 2015

Area of Science:

Perinatology
Developmental Biology
Medical Genetics

Background:

The placenta sustains fetuses in utero, supporting vital respiratory, metabolic, and excretory functions.
This support is crucial even when severe fetal malformations prevent postnatal survival.

Observation:

A 1,075g infant, born at 30 weeks gestation with gastroschisis and a short umbilical cord (13.0 cm), survived for 62 minutes.
Pathological examination revealed an 8.0-cm segment of the umbilical cord containing a single umbilical artery, primarily a vein with arterial pads.

Findings:

The infant presented with severe malformations incompatible with sustained life.
The umbilical cord exhibited a significant abnormality: a single umbilical artery.

Implications:

This case underscores the critical role of placental function in maintaining fetal life, even with profound congenital defects.
The findings emphasize the biological distinction between mere existence and sustained vitality in neonates with severe malformations.