Can a 20-week ultrasound miss the second umbilical artery?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had my 20-week scan, and the doctor said there is only one artery, that the organs look good, and that the NIPT test was also fine, so I should not worry. She mentioned that she encounters this kind of case every week in practice. I am still concerned about having only one artery. The baby is growing on time, and as the other tests are normal, I still find it hard to relax. Is there anything else I can do? Could she have missed the other artery on the ultrasound?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern.

It is normal for you to be curious and want more information, as everyone wants to do everything possible to have a healthy child. Babies with a single umbilical artery, when screened for other congenital anomalies, generally do very well, much like babies with a double umbilical artery, both during pregnancy and after delivery. No further investigations are required apart from the anomaly scan and NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) test you have done. Since they are normal, the child should do just fine.

Additionally, what can be done is to closely monitor you during this period and assess your baby for fetal growth restriction, which is occasionally associated with this condition. Also, after delivery, your neonatologist would extensively examine the child for complications that may be associated with a single umbilical artery.

So, for now, since other tests are normal, there is nothing to worry about, as your unborn child should do just as well as children with a double umbilical artery.

I hope this helps.

Please let us know if you have any further queries. We would be happy to answer.

Thank you.