Prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa

Abstract

Vasa previa is a rare condition in which unsupported by the placenta, umbilical cord blood vessels runs within the placental membranes between internal os of the cervix and presenting part of the fetus. We report an antenatal diagnostic procedure and management of a patient with low-lying placenta and velamentous cord insertion near to the internal os with two large fetal blood vessels coursing between the internal cervical os and fetal presenting part. An elective cesarean section was performed at 36 weeks gestation.

The Characteristics and Obstetric Outcomes of Type II Vasa Previa: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The estimated prevalence of vasa previa is approximately 0.05%, and an extremely high fetal mortality rate of 44% has been reported in women with undiagnosed vasa previa [ 11 , 12 ]. In general, vasa previa is classified into two types according to its etiology [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Vasa previa: Another ultrasound sign and caution at cesarean section

“…We read with interest the article ''Prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa'' by Bręborowicz et al [1]. They prenatally diagnosed vasa previa, which led to cesarean section.…”

“…Although Bręborowicz et al [1] did not give a detailed description of how they ultrasonographically diagnosed this condition as vasa previa, the manuscript suggests that the diagnosis was made by ''identification of the placental cord insertion''. It was unfortunate that Bręborowicz et al [1] did not cite our previous article regarding this issue [2]. Identification of cord insertion, its site and morphology, is not always easy, especially for a relatively inexperienced practitioner.…”

“…Bręborowicz et al [1] used the following technique: the Figure 1(a) resembles a mangrove tree, and thus we named this sign a ''mangrove sign'' [2]. uterine incision was gradually deepened to allow the membranes to bulge out from the incision while they remained intact, which enabled the determination of the course of aberrant vessels in the exposed membranes (their Figure 1(B) effectively illustrates this).…”