title: True knot of the umbilical cord: a report of 13 cases.
abstract: True knots of the umbilical cord are complications that can result in obstetric disasters, including fetal asphyxia and eventual fetal death. This study reports on 13 patients with a true knot of the umbilical cord in a delivery population of 967 deliveries during a 1-year period. In this group, there was one second-trimester fetal demise, four cases of fetal distress during labor necessitating cesarean delivery, and eight cases with a true knot found incidentally at delivery. No abnormal sequelae were found for the 12 viable newborns. True knots of the umbilical cord can be incidental findings; however, a tightened knot is reported to be associated with a fourfold increased risk of fetal death. Prenatal fetal surveillance, including targeted sonographic examination and Doppler studies, may identify true knots of the umbilical cord. Identification of high-risk patients and clinical expertise in the management of these patients have not been established.
authors.affiliation: Family Practice Department, Dewitt Army Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Szczepanik
authors.forename: Arthur C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Wittich
mesh_terms: D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D014470:Umbilical Cord