Four true umbilical cord knots.
BACKGROUND
True umbilical cord knots are rare, but may be associated with intrapartum fetal distress and perinatal complications.


METHODS
This report describes a pregnancy complicated by intrauterine growth restriction and oligohydramnios. The labour was complicated by a non-reassuring fetal heart rate tracing. Four umbilical cord knots were discovered at the time of delivery. The baby's neonatal course was uncomplicated.


CONCLUSIONS
There is currently no reliable method of detecting umbilical cord knots using ultrasound or colour Doppler flow studies. Cord knots may be responsible for fetal compromise during labour and delivery.
Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital Department of Family Medicine, Montreal QC.
Anjana
A
Srinivasan
Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital Department of Family Medicine, Montreal QC.
Lisa
L
Graves
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000209:etiology; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014102:Torsion Abnormality; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000473:pathology*