Association of isolated single umbilical artery with perinatal outcomes: Systemic review and meta-analysis
Open accessAbstract
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the association between prenatally diagnosed isolated single umbilical artery (iSUA) and perinatal outcomes. MethodsWe searched Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed from inception to January 2016, with no language or regional restrictions, for cohort and case-control studies reporting on the relationship of iSUA and perinatal outcomes.We assessed the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the occurrence of small for gestational age, preterm birth, pregnancy-induced hypertension, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and perinatal mortality in fetuses with iSUA compared with those in fetuses with three vessel cord. ResultsEleven articles totaling 1,731 pregnancies with iSUA met the selection criteria.Studies varied in design, quality, outcome definition, and results.Meta-analysis carried out within predefined groups showed that the presence of an iSUA was associated with small for gestational age (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.97 to 3.83; P<0.00001), preterm birth (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.72 to 2.57; P<0.00001), pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.00 to 2.63; P=0.05), neonatal intensive care unit admission (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.33 to 3.19; P=0.001), and perinatal mortality (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.32 to 3.98; P=0.003). ConclusionPregnancies complicated by iSUA are at increased risk for small for gestational age, preterm birth, pregnancy-induced hypertension, neonatal intensive care unit admission and perinatal mortality.Further, large prospective cohort studies are required to improve the quality of prenatal counseling and the neonatal care for pregnancies with iSUA.
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There is no consensus regarding the potential impact of single umbilical artery on pregnancy outcome.
“There is, as yet, no consensus regarding the potential impact of SUA on pregnancy outcome 50,51 .”
From <scp>ISUOG</scp> Practice Guidelines (updated): performance of the routine mid‐trimester fetal ultrasound scan (2022) · cites this paper as [50]
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- Authors
- Kim, H. J., Kim, J.-H., Chay, D. B., Park, J. H., & Kim, M.-A.
- Affiliations
- Yonsei University (KR)
- Corresponding author
- Kim, Min-A
- Venue
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Science
- Published
- 2017
- Volume
- 60
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 266
- ISSN
- 2287-8572 (ISSN-L)
- 2287-8580
- PMC
- PMC5439275
- OpenAlex
- W2614995507
- Cited by
- 37
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 4.20
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Science (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- YUHSpace (Yonsei University Medical Library) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Congenital Anomalies and Fetal Surgery
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Assisted Reproductive Technology and Twin Pregnancy
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics
- Keywords
- isolated single umbilical artery, umbilical cord abnormalities, perinatal outcomes, small for gestational age, preterm birth, gestational hypertension, neonatal intensive care admission, perinatal mortality, prenatal counseling
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