Spontaneous umbilical cord vascular rupture before labor for congenital defects with a live birth: a case report

Abstract

Spontaneous intrauterine umbilical cord vascular rupture is an uncommon, unpreventable, and dangerous event. Once it occurs, there is little chance to intervene, and often with a poor perinatal outcome. A 32-year-old primiparous woman at 40 weeks of gestation with a normal pregnancy presented to the emergency room because of vaginal fluid. During induction of labor with oxytocin, the fetal heart rate declined. An emergency cesarean delivery was carried out. Breach of branch of umbilical vein was noted. The neonate underwent urgent treatment, and was discharged on day 10 without apparent sequelae. It is a rare case of a spontaneous umbilical cord vascular rupture with a viable birth because of congenital defects of umbilical cord. When an unexpected drop in the fetal heart is observed, umbilical cord vascular rupture must be suspected, and emergency correct intervention can lead to a live birth.