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

Objective: To evaluate outcomes of fetuses with antepartum sonographic diag noses of persistent intrahepatic right umbilical veins. Methods: A detailed fetal sonographic examination was done in 30,240 consec utive pregnancies at 14-26 weeks' gestation. High- and low-risk pregnancies were included and persistent right umbilical veins specifically were recor ded. Results: Sixty-nine fetuses had persistent intrahepatic right umbilical vei ns, of which 60 had no additional sonographic abnormalities, four had trans ient nuchal findings, and four had minor anomalies or anatomic variants. On ly one of the 69 fetuses had a major anomaly (diaphragmatic hernia), and di ed after surgery. The remaining 68 fetuses were normal and healthy after bi rth. Conclusion: persistent intrahepatic right umbilical vein is a fetal anatomi c variant that is not rare and usually associated with a favorable outcome. (Obstet Gynecol 2000;95: 433-6. (C) 2000 by The American College of Obstet ricians and Gynecologists.).