Furcate umbilical cord insertion with a bilobed placenta identified on prenatal ultrasonography

Abstract

A furcate cord insertion is a rare finding, which increases the risk of adverse fetal outcomes. There are few reports of prenatal detection in the literature. We present a case of prenatally detected furcate cord insertion, diagnosed at 39 weeks’ gestation and delivered by elective caesarean section. The neonate was small for dates, but this finding was non-specific due to smoking during pregnancy. No other adverse effects to the fetus were found. The placenta required manual removal after attempted cord traction resulted in vessel avulsion at the furcate cord insertion site. Further research is required to develop recommendations for the safe management of this condition.