[Umbilical cord complications as a cause of intrauterine fetal death].

In a group of 71 intrauterine fetal deaths in monozygotic pregnancies, umbilical cord complications were the cause of death in 11 cases (16%). These included 5 umbilical knots, 3 loops, and one case each of torsion with constriction, umbilical prolapse and velamentous insertion (with rupture of the umbilical vessels). The relative importance of these umbilical complications is pointed out and discussed in regard to clinical and pathological factors.