Anjana Srinivasan1, Lisa Graves1. 1. Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital Department of Family Medicine, Montreal QC.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: True umbilical cord knots are rare, but may be associated with intrapartum fetal distress and perinatal complications. CASE: This report describes a pregnancy complicated by intrauterine growth restriction and oligohydramnios. The labour was complicated by a non-reassuring fetal heart rate tracing. Four umbilical cord knots were discovered at the time of delivery. The baby's neonatal course was uncomplicated. CONCLUSION: There is currently no reliable method of detecting umbilical cord knots using ultrasound or colour Doppler flow studies. Cord knots may be responsible for fetal compromise during labour and delivery.
BACKGROUND: True umbilical cord knots are rare, but may be associated with intrapartum fetal distress and perinatal complications. CASE: This report describes a pregnancy complicated by intrauterine growth restriction and oligohydramnios. The labour was complicated by a non-reassuring fetal heart rate tracing. Four umbilical cord knots were discovered at the time of delivery. The baby's neonatal course was uncomplicated. CONCLUSION: There is currently no reliable method of detecting umbilical cord knots using ultrasound or colour Doppler flow studies. Cord knots may be responsible for fetal compromise during labour and delivery.