Persistent right umbilical vein: its incidence and clinical importance

Abstract

Objective To investigate the incidence and concomitant findings of persistent right umbilical vein (PRUV). Methods The study was conducted by retrospective review of the data of 1856 patients who admitted to the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Fırat University between December 2018 and December 2019 for the gestational examination between 14 and 28 weeks of gestation. The obstetric characteristics of the patients such as age, number of pregnancy, abortion, parity and body mass index were recorded. The diagnosis of PRUV was established in the conditions where portal vein reaches to stomach abnormally (roughly, course towards stomach instead of parallel course), fetal gall bladder locates in the medial of umbilical vein or umbilical vein connects to right portal vein abnormally instead of left portal vein. In the cases diagnosed with PRUV, the isolated persistent right umbilical vein or its association with other anomalies was recorded. Ultrasonography findings (minor markers) were also recorded in these cases. Results During the study period, 1856 pregnant women were evaluated for gestational examination. Five cases were established with the diagnosis of PRUV. Accordingly, PRUV prevalence was 0.27%. The PRUV incidence in the study population was 1/370 in the study population. No chromosomal anomaly was found in PRUV cases, but one case had echogenic intracardiac focus, one case had echogenic intestine, and one case had short nasal bone. When organ systems were evaluated, renal cyst was found in one case. No additional finding was found in one case. Conclusion PRUV is the most common form among fetal venous system anomalies. If detected, fetal examination is required in terms of the anomalies that may accompany. Chromosome analysis is not necessary if it is isolated, and it should be evaluated as a variant of normal anatomy.