Intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix in a neonate with polysyndactyly

Abstract

An umbilical vein varix (UVV) was first recognized as a malformation by Konstantinova in autopsies of aborted fetuses, stillborn infants, and newborn deaths. This malformation is a focal dilatation most commonly located along the intra-abdominal portion (IUVV) of the umbilical vein. Its etiology is unknown. The incidence is approximately 0.4–1.1 cases/1000 births. The rarity of cases has limited development of a firm consensus on anteand postnatal management. However, accepted diagnostic prenatal ultrasound criteria include venous dilatation of >9 mm, or venous dilatation diameter exceeding 50% of the adjacent non-dilated umbilical vein. While fetal and