Case reportA G2P1 was referred at 32 weeks' gestation. Routine ultrasound had revealed a fetal intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix (FIUV) (Figure 1) without associated abnormalities. Amniocentesis showed a normal male karyotype 46, XY. On arrival, thrombosis within the FIUV was observed. Because of fetal bradycardia, an urgent caesarean section was performed. Apgars were 3 and 5 at 1 min and 5 min, respectively, and the umbilical cord pH was 7.049. The boy was intubated immediately after birth and ventilated for 48 h. On umbilical artery catheterisation, severe bleeding occurred for which he was treated with fresh frozen plasma and platelet transfusions. Laboratory investigations showed thrombopenia (18,000/mm), prolonged aPTT (54.9 s), nonmeasurable PT, fibrogen 560 mg/dl and D-dimers of 53.90 mg/ ml, confirming the diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Thrombophilia screening showed no abnormalities. Histopathology of placenta and umbilical cord showed a haemorrhagic lesion in the umbilical cord. Bleeding was controlled, laboratory examinations returned to normal and the neonate recuperated well.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.