Umbilical Cord Ulcer and Intrauterine Death in Fetal Intestinal Atresia

Spontaneous Complete Chorioamniotic Membrane Separation in a Fetus With Ileal Atresia and Umbilical Cord Ulcer: A Case Report

Spontaneous complete chorioamniotic membrane separation (cCMS) is rare and associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, such as intrauterine fetal death. Herein, we present a case of spontaneous cCMS in a fetus with ileal atresia and umbilical cord ulcers. In our case, we detected spontaneous cCMS on ultrasonography at 35 weeks of gestation. On the same day, a female infant weighing 2134 g was delivered via cesarean section. Pathological examination of the placenta confirmed cCMS and umbilical cord ulcers. When cCMS is evident in late preterm infants, the fetus should be carefully monitored and considered for delivery.

Cardiac anomalies in children with congenital duodenal obstruction: a systematic review with meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cardiac anomalies occur frequently in patients with congenital duodenal obstruction (DO). However, the exact occurrence and the type of associated anomalies remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to aggregate the available literatures on cardiac anomalies in patients with DO.

METHODS

In July 2022, a search was performed in PubMed and Embase.com. Studies describing cardiac anomalies in patients with congenital DO were considered eligible. Primary outcome was the pooled percentage of cardiac anomalies in patients with DO. Secondary outcomes were the pooled percentages of the types of cardiac anomalies, type of DO, and trisomy 21. A meta-analysis was performed to pool the reported data.

RESULTS

In total, 99 publications met our eligibility data, representing 6725 patients. The pooled percentage of cardiac anomalies was 29% (95% CI 0.26-0.32). The most common cardiac anomalies were persistent foramen ovale 35% (95% CI 0.20-0.54), ventricular septal defect 33% (95% CI 0.24-0.43), and atrial septal defect 33% (95% CI 0.26-0.41). The most prevalent type of obstruction was type 3 (complete atresias), with a pooled percentage of 54% (95% CI 0.48-0.60). The pooled percentage of Trisomy 21 in patients with DO was 28% (95% CI 0.26-0.31).

CONCLUSION

This review shows cardiac anomalies are found in one-third of the patients with DO regardless of the presence of trisomy 21. Therefore, we recommend that patients with DO should receive preoperative cardiac screening.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Umbilical Cord Ulcer: A Report of Two Cases

Umbilical cord ulcer is related to fetal intestinal atresia or meconium; perforation of the ulcer causes fetal deterioration leading to fetal and neonatal death owing to fetal hemorrhage. However, to the best of our knowledge, a method to diagnose umbilical cord ulcer prenatally is not available. No reports exist about the prenatal findings before perforation of umbilical cord ulcer using ultrasonography. We encountered two cases of umbilical cord ulcer showing ultrasonographic finding of a linear echo around the umbilical cord. Umbilical cord ulcers with an exposed umbilical cord artery in the first case and with perforation of the artery in the second case were diagnosed postnatally. When we encounter such ultrasonographic finding, especially with polyhydramnios and high amniotic bile acid concentration in cases of fetal intestinal atresia, risk of perforation of the umbilical cord ulcer should be included in the differential diagnosis.