“Massive” Fetal Thrombotic Vasculopathy Associated with Excessively Long Umbilical Cord and Fetal Demise: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Both excessively long umbilical cord (ELUC) and fetal thrombotic vasculopathy (FTV) have been associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, in particular, fetal loss and long-term neurological complications. The etiologies of these conditions are unclear and are likely multifactorial. Excessively long umbilical cord has been associated with FTV and fetal demise, with cases generally showing other cord abnormalities and only localized FTV. We report a 37-week male stillborn fetus whose placenta had a 113-cm-long umbilical cord with no other cord abnormalities associated with “massive” FTV (ie, >25% of the placental mass). This case illustrates the unusual occurrence of FTV of such severe extent in association with ELUC leading to fetal demise. This case illustrates that ELUC alone may be enough to predispose the placenta to massive FTV.