Hello,

Normally fetal umbilical cord has three blood vessels. When one of the artery is absent it is called as two vessel cord. With single umbilical artery there are chances of other congenital anomalies, though this can be isolated condition with no other abnormalities. But chances of anomalies are high among the fetuses with single umbilical artery as compared to other normal vessel cord fetus.

Single umbilical artery fetuses and neonates have a 6.77 times greater risk of congenital anomalies and 15.35 times greater risk of chromosomal abnormalities.

The most common congenital anomalies in chromosomally normal fetuses and neonates were genitourinary (6.48%), followed by cardiovascular (6.25%) and musculoskeletal (5.44%).

For isolated single umbilical artery, placental abnormalities , hydramnios and amniocentesis occurred more frequently than with three vessel cords.

Neonates with single umbilical artery and isolated single umbilical artery had increased rates of prematurity, growth restriction, and adverse neonatal outcomes.

Echogenic bowel is again a soft marker of anomalies. But it can be entirely normal finding as well.

Although one artery can certainly perform the job of two and sustain a perfectly healthy pregnancy, your doctor is likely keep a close eye on your baby's development, and may want to run further tests, including more scans and possibly even a chromosomal analysis to rule out any genetic abnormalities or other congenital problems.

So there are chances that everything can turn out normal but to confirm this more tests and monitoring would be needed. And if any anomalies are found over a period then you will have to discuss outcome with your doctor.

Hope this answers your question. Please ask if there are doubts.

Regards.

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Hello,

First two question I have already answered.Please refer the first answer.

1.There are chances of having normal baby.But it's difficult to predict which baby will be completely normal.There are few things which cannot be tested before birth.
2.The risk factors are anomalies/malformation of organs and altered growth of baby. - The most common congenital anomalies in chromosomally normal fetuses and neonates are genitourinary (6.48%), followed by cardiovascular (6.25%) and musculoskeletal (5.44%).

For isolated single umbilical artery, placental abnormalities , hydramnios and amniocentesis occurred more frequently than with three vessel cords.

Neonates with single umbilical artery and isolated single umbilical artery had increased rates of prematurity, growth restriction, and adverse neonatal outcomes.

3.This question is extremely difficult to answer.You will get both kind of suggestions but you have to go by your instinct and take your own decision.It would be entirely decision of both husband and wife. While taking decision do consider results of all tests.

Few factors to consider while taking decision are test results, if tests show any abnormality then can it be corrected after birth or how will it affect baby's life, age of baby,how precious is baby,was it easy to get pregnant, is it possible to get pregnant in future, are there chances of future baby getting similar anomalies, any parental genetic issues leading to such anomalies, any possible pregnancy and delivery related complications and willing to handle the issue.

Hope answer helps you.Regards.

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