Persistent intrahepatic right umbilical vein in the fetus: a benign anatomic variant

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes of fetuses with antepartum sonographic diagnoses of persistent intrahepatic right umbilical veins. METHODS: A detailed fetal sonographic examination was done in 30,240 consecutive pregnancies at 14-26 weeks' gestation. High- and low-risk pregnancies were included and persistent right umbilical veins specifically were recorded. RESULTS: Sixty-nine fetuses had persistent intrahepatic right umbilical veins, of which 60 had no additional sonographic abnormalities, four had transient nuchal findings, and four had minor anomalies or anatomic variants. Only one of the 69 fetuses had a major anomaly (diaphragmatic hernia), and died after surgery. The remaining 68 fetuses were normal and healthy after birth. CONCLUSION: Persistent intrahepatic right umbilical vein is a fetal anatomic variant that is not rare and usually associated with a favorable outcome.