A two-vessel cord is also associated with a greater risk for the genetic abnormality known as VATER. This stands for vertebral defects, anal atresia, transesophageal fistula with esophageal atresia, and radial dysplasia. Babies with a two-vessel cord may also be at higher risk for not growing properly.
What does a 2 vessel cord mean in pregnancy?
Most babies’ umbilical cords have three blood vessels: one vein, which brings nutrients from the placenta to baby, and two arteries that bring waste back to the placenta. But a two-vessel cord has just one vein and one artery — that’s why the condition is also referred to as having a single umbilical artery.
What happens if my baby’s umbilical cord has one artery instead of two?
Having only one artery in the umbilical cord, called a single umbilical artery (SUA), shouldn’t affect their health. Usually, an umbilical cord has two arteries, along with a single vein, making a total of three vessels. The vein carries oxygen and nutrients to your baby, and the arteries remove waste products.
How many vessel cord is normal?
A normal umbilical cord has two arteries and one vein. This is known as a three-vessel cord. It is covered by a thick gelatinous substance known as Wharton’s Jelly. The vein brings in oxygen and nutrients to the baby from the mother.
How common is 2 vessel cord?
Two-vessel cord — also known as single umbilical artery (SUA) — occurs in under 1 percent of singleton pregnancies and 5 percent of twins and multiples pregnancies.
Can the umbilical cord harm the baby?
Serious umbilical cord problems can result in brain damage or the death of the baby. Umbilical cord compression occurs when the baby’s weight, the placenta or the vaginal walls put pressure on the cord during pregnancy, labor or delivery. Cord compression during pregnancy is a common problem.
Is SUA birth defect?
A single umbilical artery (SUA) is a malformation of the umbilical cord where only one artery instead of two is present. It may be associated with other birth defects. The pathogenesis of an SUA is thought to be secondary to vessel atrophy of a previously normal cord in the mid trimester.
What is the reason for single umbilical artery?
The vein carries the oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus. The arteries carry the deoxygenated blood and the waste products from the fetus to the placenta. Occasionally, primary agenesis or secondary atrophy of one of the arteries occurs resulting in single umbilical artery.
How serious is single umbilical artery?
About 2 in 10 babies (20 percent) with a single umbilical artery have health problems, including heart, kidney or digestion problems and genetic conditions.
Can a baby survive with one artery?
If your umbilical cord only has one artery, it increases your risk for fetal anomalies. Single umbilical artery risks. Single artery umbilical cord problems only happen in around 1% of pregnancies, although the risk increases to 5% for twin pregnancies. A lack of one vessel is called a two-vessel cord.
Can a baby survive without an umbilical cord?
In these early weeks, there’s no need to breathe. The umbilical cord is the main source of oxygen for the fetus. As long as the umbilical cord remains intact, there should be no risk of drowning in or outside the womb.
How many weeks pregnant does the umbilical cord form?
Terms to Know. Umbilical cord: A cord that connects the developing baby to the mother in utero. The umbilical cord attaches to the baby at the abdomen and to the mother at the placenta. The cord forms during the fifth week of gestation (seventh week of pregnancy).
Is single umbilical artery a birth defect?
Conclusion: Fetuses and neonates with single umbilical artery and isolated single umbilical artery are at increased risk for adverse outcomes. Identification of single umbilical artery is important for prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies and aneuploidy.
