Single Umbilical Artery

[Miss Tazar]

Hi
My bub has SUA (single umbilical artery), the stuff written on the net is pretty scary. Has anyone got information on what SUA is and what it means?
Roxi
DD due 5 Nov 2005

[Kamaikia]

Hope this helps.

The normal umbilical cord is made up of three vessels; two arteries and one vein. The prevalence of single umbilical artery (SUA) is about 1 in 100 live births, with this finding being less common in Japanese and Black populations. It is three to four times higher in multiple pregnancies. There is no evidence of a familial trend with this finding. The selection process of the missing (or existing) vessel is likely to be random, even though a right single artery was seen slightly more often

When diagnosing a two vessel cord this can be done in two ways. Firstly, a true transverse section of the cord should be obtained in a conventional B-Mode scan in which one can identify the two arteries and a single vein. If SUA is found invariably the artery is much larger than the calibre found of each artery in normal three vessel cord.

Secondly, the umbilical arteries could be visualised on each side of the fetal bladder using the colour flow Doppler imaging. In SUA, there is only one vessel on either side of the bladder

Diagnosis of SUA should lead to a comprehensive examination of the fetus for any other anomaly, since 1 in 5 fetuses with a SUA will be found to have multiple abnormalities. The most associated abnormalities are cardiac (VSD) and urinary tract malformations. In addition, there is a higher incidence of marginal and valementous insertion of the umbilical cord. Upto 15-20% of the fetuses with SUA are at risk of intrauterine growth retardation.

If a fetus with a SUA has associated abnormalities, karyotyping is justified. However, with SUA as an isolated finding, care should be taken in counselling the patient with regard to karyotyping as the percentage of chromosomal anomalies is so low.

[aardvark]

For some re-assurance, my four year old had a single umbilical artery, and she was (and is) 100% perfect.

At my 20 week scan, the doctor doing the scan explained to me the risk of heart problems and such associated with the condition, and also that she might be small for dates, and therefore need to be born early if she was not doing well on the inside.

I had a follow-up scan at 30 weeks, at which they focussed in detail on her heart, and estimated her size, and everything was determined to be normal.

The pregnancy went to term, and she was born on her due date, just a couple of grams lighter than her older sister.

It's scary when they first say that something might be wrong with baby, but it can turn out just fine. Don't panic yet.

[Meandsue]

Hi all
It is great 2 c a site like this working very well . My wife and I are expecting any day now (our 4th) and the little tacker has been diagnosed with SUA. I agree that the net info can be pretty daunting but if you keep digging you will soon realise that the chances of complications are really quite low.Like most we have been told of the very small odds of Sua bubs developing serious complications. It frustrating when you go through the process of GP's, specialists, scans etc all saying things are still looking all ok only to be told by a part time midwife that bub will be whisked away at birth with likely kidney or renal problems . There is no evidence at all indicating any problems and believe me we have exhausted just about all of the available tests. From all advice we seem to be getting If there are no detectable issues by about 30-36 weeks then it is most likely to be a normal healthy happy bub.

[birdie]

Also have a child (4 mos) diagnosed with SUA. They did many prenatal sonos and found one kidney to be slightly larger than the other, but has not been a problem since birth. At 2 mos they did a sonogram of the kidneys and two tests to check for reflux back into the kidneys or obstruction, and after much prayer all was found to be functioning properly. Don't panic (although the doctors give you all the risk factors), stay as calm as possible and take good care of yourself...my doctor suggested putting my feet up and laying on my left side for a minimum of one hour each day to encourage blood flow. I wish I would have worried less and enjoyed my pregnancy more. Doctor suggested not letting the baby go past his due date and weekly stress tests at 8-9 months, all were reassuring. Please be encouraged!

[~ElectricPink~]

Hi. I'm 22 weeks, and have just been told that I have SUA. I'm confused and scared that my baby will not be born healthy. The ultrasound showed that there weren't any abnormalities in any of his organs or limbs, but does that mean that everything will be ok? I would also like to meet others who are in a similar situation....

[xkwzit]

Hi All
You might wa to check this other thread we've had on this subject:
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/f...bilical+artery

Sorry I'm too lazy to repost

Cheers

[~Emmylou~]

Just wanted to post and say that I had a SUA when my mum was pregnant with me and I am fine.

I believe that it does increase the risk of certain abnormalities but more often than not these babies are born healthy with no problems, just as I was.

[~ElectricPink~]

Okay thanx for all of ur help! I feel a lot better now...I guess unless something actually comes up there is no real point stressing!

[mygirls]

Hi ....

Our baby too has sua...apparently it effects 1 in 100 births...this is our 4 th baby too & it was picked up at the 20 u/s. I was highly stressed after the u/s & when i saw my ob insited that i have a 2nd opinion on the rest of my bubs anatomy...he of course allowed me to have another u/s where i had two fantastic sonographers (1 was a dr) who did a brilliant u/s & showed everything was working just as it should...just that our bub only had 1 artery...they (like my ob) were again very reassuring saying that they see this problem often & to go home & enjoy my pregnancy...which i now am. I dont google anything (well not now anyway!) & we are just waiting till we get to 32 weeks when my ob is refering me for another u/s to check bub's growth. He too said there may be a 'small' chance that if bub is not growing we will be induced a little earlier...I'll cross that bridge if/when we come to it..My ob has assured me that he isnt concerned & my pregnancy & birth should follow normal course...as most of his other patients have in regards to sua...after 4.5 years of being under him & 3 beautiful other children...im going to trust him on it

Kristy