Second-trimester fetal death due to cord entanglement around the neck
Abstract
Cord entanglement is the situation when one or more loops of the umbilical cord encircle any part of the body. Cord complications may result in fetal demise in the third trimester. However, they are not known to be etiologic factors for missed abortion, in spite of the high ratio of cord entanglement during the first half of pregnancy. We present a case of intrauterine fetal death at 15 weeks’ gestation due to cord entanglement. When the fetus was delivered, an abnormally long umbilical cord for this gestational age was realized (30 cm). The cord passed above the right shoulder of the fetus, and encircled the neck completely and tightly. Then the cord passed through the left axilla towards the placenta. Macroscopically there was no fetal abnormality. Postmortem pathological examination proved the absence of any structural malformations. The most possible cause of intrauterine death was the nuchal cord obstructing blood flow through the umbilical cord.
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