Absent ductus venosus: case series from two tertiary centres.

Area of Science:

• Perinatology
• Vascular Malformations
• Fetal Cardiology

Background:

• Congenital absence of the ductus venosus (ADV) is a rare vascular anomaly.
• ADV is frequently associated with fetal cardiac and extracardiac anomalies, aneuploidies, and hydrops.
• Prognosis is influenced by venous circulation patterns, associated malformations, and chromosomal aberrations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To audit outcomes of prenatally diagnosed cases of absence of the ductus venosus.
• To analyze the relationship between ADV, associated anomalies, and fetal outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective audit of consecutive cases with prenatally diagnosed ADV.
• Analysis of gestational age at diagnosis, karyotyping results, and survival rates.

Main Results:

• Six cases of prenatally diagnosed ADV were identified, with diagnosis ranging from 15 to 35 weeks gestation.
• Five out of six cases had normal karyotypes.
• Four neonates survived 28 days; two neonates with extrahepatic ADV died within 48 hours of delivery.

Conclusions:

• Absence of the ductus venosus can be compatible with normal fetal development.
• Normal circulation and oxygenation may be maintained despite ADV, irrespective of the venous circulation pattern.
• Favorable outcomes are possible even with complex vascular anomalies.