Ultrasound Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ultrasound, including details on screening, diagnosis, pregnancy, detection.

The association of umbilical cord hemangioma with fetal vascular birthmarks.

Daniel-Spiegel E, Weiner E, Gimburg G, Shalev E

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ha'Emek Medical Center, Afula 18101, Israel.

OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of umbilical cord hemangioma and to discuss its association with vascular birthmarks. METHODS: A case of umbilical cord hemangioma diagnosed by ultrasound at 28 weeks of gestation is reported. After labor induction at 38 weeks of gestation, a male infant was born. Examination of the newborn showed disseminated port wine flat skin lesions covering a significant part of his body. Reviewing the scientific literature revealed the association between umbilical cord hemangioma and fetal mortality and morbidity, in particular, vascular malformations. RESULTS: A total of 24 umbilical cord hemangioma cases were reported in detail. Of them, 37.5% were associated with perinatal mortality and 29.2% ended in the delivery of a normal healthy infant. Fetal morbidity was recognized in 33.3%. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the importance of prenatal diagnosis of umbilical cord hemangioma for prenatal counseling.

Published 2 May 2005 in Prenat Diagn, 25(4): 300-3.
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