Aim: To determine the prevalence of renal anomalies in patients with an isolated single umbilical artery (SUA).
Methods: We performed a retrospective study of all renal ultrasound examinations assessed at our centre between January 1998 and December 2008 in neonates with SUA with or without associated anomalies.
Results: Renal ultrasound examination was performed in 65 neonates with SUA (57 neonates with isolated SUA and 8 neonates with nonisolated SUA). The prevalence of renal anomalies in the group with and without isolated SUA was 2% (1/57) and 38% (3/8), respectively. Only one patient with isolated SUA had a mild renal abnormality without clinical consequences.
Conclusions: The prevalence of renal anomalies in neonates with isolated SUA is low. We suggest that routine ultrasound screening for renal anomalies is not warranted in neonates with isolated SUA.
Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.