Intrauterine death from umbilical cord hematoma.

Umbilical cord hematoma is a rare cause of intrauterine morbidity and mortality. There have been many theories about the etiology of this entity, but its cause remains unknown. Intrauterine death occurred in a postmature (44 weeks) fetus and was associated with an umbilical cord hematoma. Histologic examination of the cord showed a thinning of the wall of the umbilical vein with splitting of the elastic membrane.