A four-vessel umbilical cord

Physical examination of a healthy newborn revealed a four-vessel umbilical cord (figure 1). At the placental cord insertion site only three vessels were seen. The routine prenatal ultrasonography did not show any abnormalities. The newborn had no dysmorphic features. During the early embryogenesis, the umbilical cord exists of four blood vessels (two veins, two arteries) as well as the vitelline duct and the allantois. By the eighth gestational week, the vitelline duct and allantois as well as the right umbilical vein become obliterated.1 It is extremely rare that they persist. A persistent vitelline duct or allantois can lead to a swollen umbilical cord in the newborn1 2 or to persistent umbilical discharge and possible infection because of leakage of urine or faeces.1 3 In our patient, the extra vessel had the macroscopic appearance of a blood vessel....
Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition - Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Tags: Journalology, Reproductive medicine, Radiology, Clinical diagnostic tests, Radiology (diagnostics), Competing interests (ethics) Images in neonatal medicine Source Type: research