Double and Single True Knot of an Umbilical Cord: A Case Report

The primary function of the umbilical cord is to transport blood to and from the fetus. It carries deoxygenated blood away from the fetus by two umbilical arteries, and oxygenated blood from the placenta toward the fetus by an umbilical vein. In some cases, the umbilical cord can form a true knot increasing the risk of asphyxia and fetal demise. The umbilical cord may also form a false knot, which is only a kink and will not increase fetal risk of abnormalities. A 40-year-old woman, gravida six, parity three (G6P3), presented to the hospital in active labor after 39.1 weeks of gestation. Six hours after admission a healthy male fetus was delivered with one nuchal cord. The placenta was delivered approximately 3 minutes later. Upon inspection, the presence of a double and a single true knot of the umbilical cord was noted. This case describes a fetus with a double and single true knot of the umbilical cord that was not apparent by ultrasonography.