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Published on: September 5, 2011
Single umbilical artery and its associated findings
Meiling Hua1, Anthony O Odibo, George A Macones
1From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|April 23, 2010
Summary
Single umbilical artery is linked to higher risks of fetal growth restriction and congenital anomalies. Serial growth assessments are recommended for pregnancies with this condition.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Fetal Medicine
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Single umbilical artery (SUA) is a common finding during prenatal ultrasound.
- The association between SUA and adverse pregnancy outcomes requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if single umbilical artery (SUA) is associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), fetal demise, or major congenital anomalies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 72,373 singleton pregnancies from 1990-2007.
- Comparison of outcomes between pregnancies with single umbilical artery (SUA) and double umbilical arteries.
- Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for confounding factors.
Main Results:
- Single umbilical artery (SUA) was diagnosed in 0.61% of pregnancies.
- SUA showed increased risk for renal anomalies (aOR 3.0) and cardiac anomalies (aOR 20.3).
- SUA was associated with higher risk of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (aOR 2.1), even excluding fetuses with known anomalies.
Conclusions:
- Single umbilical artery (SUA) diagnosis is linked to an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
- Clinical recommendation for serial growth assessments is warranted for pregnancies with single umbilical artery (SUA).
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