Umbilical cord entanglement

Case contributed by Dennis Odhiambo Agolah
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

A routine antenatal check-up in the early third trimester.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Female
ultrasound

The umbilical cord wraps around/entangles the fetal left ankle and foot. No additional umbilical cord entanglement of either the limbs or the neck.

Case Discussion

Umbilical cord entangling the fetal neck is common. However, its presence around the fetal limbs is uncommon or rarely picked up sonographically or documented in routine practice. Still, such entanglements of the fetus by the umbilical cord either at the lower or upper limbs can pose a risk to the baby or result in persisting breech presentation and should be followed up if chanced.

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