Do babies with isolated single umbilical artery need routine postnatal renal ultrasonography?

Abstract

The presence of isolated SUA is associated with increased risk of prematurity and fetal growth restriction. In this largest series of isolated SUA, there was no excess of significant renal malformations among infants with isolated SUA. Postnatal renal ultrasonography is not routinely warranted in such infants.

Is Screening for Renal Anomalies Warranted in Neonates with Isolated Single Umbilical Artery?

“…In contrast, 38% (3/8) of patients with nonisolated SUA had renal abnormalities. In accordance with other studies [1,5,11] , we also found a high rate (9%) of SGA in neonates with isolated SUA.…”

“…Routine renal screening in isolated SUA should only be performed if the prevalence of renal anomalies is higher than in the general population. The prevalence of renal abnormalities seen in the general population is approximately 1% [11,13,14] . In neonates with isolated SUA, conflicting results have been reported regarding the prevalence of renal anomalies, ranging from 0 to as high as 33% [9] .…”

“…Data from these two studies are in agreement with the conclusions of Thummala et al [9] . In the largest series so far of infants with isolated SUA (n = 122) in which renal investigations and follow-up were performed, Depshande et al [11] reported a low prevalence (1.6%; 2/122) of clinically significant renal anomalies. The authors compared their findings with the prevalence of renal anomalies detected through routine antenatal fetal scanning and postnatal case findings (through a regional congenital anomaly register) and found no significant increased risk of major renal anomalies [11] .…”

“…We compared the results of our study group with prevalence data of renal anomalies as reported in the general population [11,13,14] .…”

“…In the past, most textbooks and studies suggested that renal ultrasound examination should be routinely performed in isolated SUA [6][7][8] . Recently, a few studies have reported a lack of association between renal anomalies and isolated SUA, and concluded that routine renal ultrasound screening is no longer mandatory [9][10][11] .…”