Abstract

Fetal intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix is a focal variceal dilatation of the umbilical vein. Its clinical importance has not yet been clearly established, but it has been reported to be associated with increased fetal malformations, chromosomal abnormalities and death rate. We present a case of intra-abdominal vein varix appearing as a fetal intra- abdominal cyst at 30 weeks of pregnancy. The fetus was monitored by sonography every other week. The infant was delivered by caesarian section due to progressive fetal cardiac insufficiency at 34 weeks and 3 days. The umbilical vein varix disappeared spontaneously. The mother left the hospital with a healthy infant 3 days after the surgery.