The Case for Umbilical Cord Screening Via Ultrasound at 18–20 Weeks

Umbilical cord pathology accounts for 20–25% of stillbirths worldwide. Recent publications suggest that stillbirths could be prevented by routine 18 – 20-week ultrasound evaluations that include the full anatomy of the umbilical cord from the placenta to the fetal umbilicus. This manuscript reviews our current understanding of this field and includes suggestions for the future.