Single umbilical artery
Single Umbilical Artery
Single umbilical artery (SUA), also known as two-vessel cord, is a condition in which there is only one umbilical artery in the umbilical cord instead of the usual two. Pronounced as 'single um-bi-li-cal ar-te-ry', the term originates from the Latin words 'umbilicus' meaning 'navel' and 'arteria' meaning 'windpipe, artery'.
Overview
In a normal pregnancy, the umbilical cord consists of two arteries and one vein. The vein carries oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the fetus, while the arteries carry deoxygenated blood and waste products from the fetus back to the mother. In a single umbilical artery pregnancy, one of these arteries is missing.
Causes
The exact cause of SUA is unknown. However, it is believed to occur due to a malformation of the placenta or umbilical cord during early pregnancy. It can also occur as a random event during the formation of the blood vessels.
Associated Risks
SUA is associated with an increased risk of congenital anomalies, including heart, kidney, and skeletal abnormalities. It is also associated with an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
Diagnosis
SUA is usually diagnosed during a routine ultrasound examination. If SUA is detected, further testing may be recommended to check for associated anomalies.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for SUA. Management of the condition involves close monitoring of the pregnancy and the baby's growth and development. If associated anomalies are detected, additional treatments may be necessary.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Single umbilical artery
- Wikipedia's article - Single umbilical artery
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski