Umbilical cord lesions in early intrauterine fetal demise.
BACKGROUND
The cause for intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) occurring in early gestation in a high percentage of spontaneous abortions is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the association, if any, of umbilical cord abnormalities with early IUFD.


METHODS
All cases of IUFD occurring within 16 weeks of gestation that presented to our hospitals between August 1998 and July 2001 were prospectively studied. Once the fetal demise was diagnosed, pregnancy was terminated by medical induction, such that the products of conception were largely delivered intact. Cases with an intact umbilical cord connecting the fetus and placenta were considered in the study, whereas disrupted cord and curettage material was excluded from the study.


RESULTS
A total of 153 early IUFD cases were seen during the period of study. The medical induction yielded intact products of conception in 122 cases, whereas 31 cases had to be completed by curettage, as the expulsion of the conceptus was incomplete. Thirteen of the 122 IUFD cases showed abnormalities of the umbilical cord. The cord lesions most frequently encountered were constriction and coiling abnormalities. Other lesions seen included hemorrhage, thrombosis, edema, and amniotic band.


CONCLUSIONS
A significantly high number (10.7%) of IUFD in early gestation are associated with umbilical cord abnormalities. Routine assessment of umbilical cords in early pregnancy might help to detect pregnancies at risk.
Singh
Vivekanand
V
Department of Pathology, Princess Durru Shehvar Children's & General Hospital, Purani Haveli, Hyderabad, India 500002. drsinghv@rediffmail.com
Khanum
Sufia
S
Singh
Meenal
M
D004487:Edema / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology