A study led by IBSAL reveals new data on this prenatal marker and its relationship with birth weight.
Researchers from the Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca, the University of Salamanca, the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca and the Complejo Asistencial de Zamora have published a detailed analysis of the isolated single umbilical artery (AUUA), an anomaly in which the umbilical cord has only one artery instead of the usual two, with no other alterations observed. This marker, identified during prenatal ultrasound scans, has generated interest because of its possible relationship with adverse perinatal outcomes.
The study, conducted on a sample of more than 1,200 gestations, compared cases of AUUA with normal pregnancies. The results show that babies with AUUA have a slightly lower average birth weight compared to those with two-artery umbilical cords. However, no significant differences were found in other parameters such as gestational age, fetal malformations, Apgar scores or need for neonatal intensive care.
“AUUA is considered an ultrasound marker of clinical interest, but our findings suggest that, when present in isolation, its impact is limited,” note the authors of the study. In addition, they note that no significant associations were observed with genetic malformations or with an increase in severe neonatal complications.
This work represents an advance in the understanding of prenatal ultrasound markers by clarifying that AUUA, although associated with lower birth weight, does not appear to imply major risks in terms of overall neonatal health. It is therefore concluded that this marker may be useful as part of a comprehensive approach, but should not be a cause for alarm in the absence of other risk factors.
Prenatal ultrasound examination of the umbilical cord. Images a and b show a case of umbilical cord with two arteries, and images c and d show a case of umbilical cord with one artery.
Cubo AM, Moreno A, Sánchez-Barba M, Cabrero MÁ, Costas T, Rodríguez MO, Hernández Hernández Hernández ME, Ordás P, Villalba Yarza A, Goenaga FJ, Lapresa-Alcalde MV. Fetal Isolated Single Umbilical Artery (ISUA) and Its Role as a Marker of Adverse Perinatal Outcomes. J Clin Med. 2024 Dec 18;13(24):7749. doi: 10.3390/jcm13247749. PMID: 39768672; PMCID: PMC11676338.
