Umbilical cord with two umbilical veins: A report of two cases

Abstract

Umbilical cord with two umbilical veins is a rarely reported anomaly. Four-vessel cord is known to be associated with other congenital anomalies. Second umbilical vein is usually due to persistence of right umbilical vein. We report two cases of two umbilical veins; one newborn with four-vessel umbilical cord with two umbilical veins, who presented with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension, and another newborn with three-vessel umbilical cord with two umbilical veins, diagnosed to have transposition of great arteries. The presence of two umbilical veins mandates comprehensive workup to rule out other congenital anomalies. However, as highlighted by our first case, the presence of two umbilical veins is not always an ominous sign but could be seen in otherwise normal baby.