Recurrent Second Trimester Fetal Demise Caused by Hypercoiled Umbilical Cords

Abstract

Background

Umbilical cord flow impairment accounts for a majority of fetal vascular malperfusion (FVM). Hypercoiled umbilical cords are one cause of impaired fetal blood flow that may, in severe cases, result in intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD). Although the factors involved in umbilical cord patterning are incompletely understood, a limited number of reports have described recurrent intra-familial hypercoiling leading to death in the second trimester, suggesting a subset may have a genetic etiology.

Case Reports

Herein, we report two additional cases of recurrent second trimester IUFD secondary to FVM due to umbilical cord hypercoiling and briefly discuss all published cases.

Conclusion

Our cases add to a small, but growing, body of literature that suggests a genetic etiology to a subset of hypercoiled umbilical cords.

Keywords:

• Hypercoiled umbilical cord
• recurrent miscarriage
• intrauterine fetal demise
• fetal vascular malperfusion

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Statement of appropriate institutional board approval and informed consent

Exempt from formal ethics review from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Does not breach the general principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Funding

This research received no funding from any agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.