title: [Perinatal outcome after prenatal diagnosis of intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Progress in echographic techniques, particularly, high-resolution echography and color Doppler, as well the higher deep on knowledge and systematization in fetal anatomy exploration, are the main responsible of the increased number of cardiovascular anomalies diagnosed prenatally.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the sonographic findings and perinatal outcomes in cases with prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive and retrospective study of cases with prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of umbilical vein varix. The diagnosis is performed at the level of the abdominal circumference when the diameter of the vessel is above the established parameters for a certain gestational age. Variables concerning maternal-fetal features, ultrasound findings and perinatal outcomes of affected cases are described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From August 2008 to August 2012 14 cases of intraabdominal umbilical vein varix were diagnosed in our center with a mean gestational age at diagnosis of 29 weeks. Of the 14 cases, 35% had associated anomalies, mostly cardiovascular anomalies. No chromosomal defects were detected. Perinatal outcomes in newborns were favorable, with mean gestational age at delivery of 38 weeks. Only one case of monochorionic-monoamniotic twin pregnancy required preterm elective termination secondary to a twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prenatal diagnosis of intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix should be followed by further studies given its possible association with other anomalies, chromosomal defects and cases of stillbirth. However, isolated cases of umbilical vein varix, representing a majority, often evolve favorably with few complications.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Medicina Fetal, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Navarro-González
authors.forename: Coral
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bravo-Arribas
authors.forename: Ricardo Pérez
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Fernández-Pacheco
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gámez-Alderete
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de León-Luis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult