Isolated single umbilical artery: Implications for pregnancy

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate whether the presence of an isolated single umbilical artery (iSUA) is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes.

METHODS: Material and Methods: Fifty-one patients with iSUA and 54 controls were enrolled in the case-control study. Demographic characteristics and perinatal outcomes were recorded.


RESULTS: All patients had normal umbilical artery (UMA) Doppler findings, and their detailed ultrasound weeks were between 18 and 23 weeks. The birth weights of the babies in the iSUA group were significantly lower than the control group (2898.82±434.56 g vs 3143.70±419.09 g, p=0.004). In the iSUA group, oligohydramnios (7.8% vs 0%), preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) (3.9% vs 0%), preterm delivery (9.8% vs 3.7%), small for gestational age (SGA) (11.8% vs 3.7%) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (2% vs 0%) admission rates were higher than control group, but there was no statistical significance (p>0.05). But the total adverse pregnancy outcomes were observed in 35.3% (18/51) of cases with iSUA is higher than controls 7.4% (4/54) ( p=0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In our study, iSUA is found to be associated with low newborn weight. In the iSUA group, oligohydramnios, PPROM, preterm delivery, SGA and NICU admission rates were high, but there was no statistical significance. But the total adverse pregnancy outcomes were higher in the iSUA group. These results indicate that close follow-up is essential to prevent and manage adverse perinatal outcomes in iSUA patients.