2 vessel umbilical cord as a marker?

[fifitot]

Hi - I have been on and off these boards regarding my risk factors and if anyone recalls, declined amnio due to a pretty good nuchal.

I booked a private U/S anomaly scan which had yesterday at 18 w as too nervous just to wait for NHS one in 2 weeks time. Was hoping it would reassure me - it didn't.

All OK but the umblicial cord has only 2 vessels and not 3. The sonographer only reported this as an incidental finding. She said she didn't really know if it was significant or not!

There are no other markers. From googling (bad I know) it seems it could be a soft marker for Edwards, though not Downs. I have to go for NHS ultrasound in 2 weeks so probably will have to hang on there and hear what they say. I have read that on it's own, such a finding is usually insignificant and that often is not even reported. However I think that due to my age I can see the consultant wanting to know about this and talking to me about it.

I have posted this on the preg board and have some useful info but wondered of anyone else's experience. I have read that the main markers for Edwards are CP cysts and am happy that there was no hard marker for anything else on the scan.

Just a bit concerned really and suppose won't rest until baby born!

Hi Fifi

Sorry that things have got you worried again - but at present, the only concern is with the umbilical cord, not with your baby?

From googling (yes, I know - but you can evaluate the source from where you get the info and see if it is corrolated from another reliable source) this would appear to be called 'single umbilical artery' and does suggest there can be an increased risk of problems for the baby; but for the main defects (heart, kidneys etc) I presume it is also likely that the baby would have markers that could be spotted at 18/20wk scan:
March of Dimes website, a non-profit org in the US researching into pregnancy and baby health.
also
Australian obstetrician/gynaecologist leaflet re 2 vessel cord.
The link (from googling 'trisomy 18 ultrasound markers') only lists markers that might be picked up within the baby's own body, obv only for Edwards:
www.trisomy18.org/site/PageServer?pagename=parents_us

However no problem was mentioned re the development of your baby...? I've just had an 18wk scan following loss of previous pregnancy due to Patau's (T13) and they were very thorough in looking at the heart, head/brain etc. I'm guessing the sonographer would have been looking for these same markers too.

Mention it at your 20wk scan, because it will alert the team to be even more thorough - and also because they may decide to monitor your pregnancy more closely than otherwise (eg to check growth is OK) plus perhaps closer monitoring of your baby once born. They can also double-check that you do indeed have a single umbilical artery...

I hope you get through the next 2 weeks OK and that your 20wk scan is reassuring. xx

Thanks for posting. I will look at the links. I am trying not to stress because essentially there is nothing I do that will make a difference.

Lots of conflicting info on the net unfortunately but I have concerns about growth of baby at a later stage but guess if doc concerned they will scan me more.

Wish I hadn't have had the bloody scan now! And waited to the 20 wk one!

Fifitot: it's such a shame you have this worry - however do look at the Aussie leaflet, it's obviously written with patients in mind and is reassuring, even with regard to IUGR (says only a small percentage get it and they will pick up on growth after delivery). Also it says that if the baby has any major heart problems etc they should be picked up at the 18/20wk scan... and nothing was mentioned with regard to your baby at your 18wk scan.

Hope the next 2 weeks go swiftly for you...

Thanks Numpty and the leaflet was great. The scan showed nothing else of concern at all. I think if I didn't have access to the internet I wouldn't have thought much about it. I will wait and see what they say at the next scan which isn't far off.

my wife also faces the same problem I am worried as the report also said prominent swellling in kidney, anybody there who can guide us ?

I'm sorry to hear this, Raj - it's such a worry to get news like this in a pregnancy, then work out what it might mean for you and your baby. I'm guessing you and your wife will have other appointments with the consultant or team who gave you this news? I'd not heard of Fifitot's condition before (ie 'Single Umbilical Artery'), just looked into it for her using google - so neither of us are medical or could give any more input re your own situation, other than the March of Dimes website seems to suggest it can include urinary tract defects. However I really would seek more input from your hospital consultants and try to get all the information you can from them, or at least more about what they suspect could be the cause of the swelling in the kidney.

Hoping all goes OK for you.