Prenatal diagnosis and outcome of isolated interrupted inferior vena cava.

OBJECTIVE

Report our experience in prenatal diagnosis of 11 cases of interrupted inferior vena cava, summarize the clinical significance and implications of this variant.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of 11 fetuses diagnosed with interrupted inferior vena cava, of 55,457 pregnant women who underwent extensive fetal anomaly scan during 20 years.

RESULTS

Eight of the 11 fetuses with interrupted inferior vena cava had a completely normal outcome. One had also normal outcome but abnormal function of the spleen. One had multiple abnormalities, and 1 case was lost to follow up.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of IIVC is 1:5000. In the vast majority (90%) of the cases, it is an isolated variant not associated with isomerism or fetal anomalies. In all the cases of isolated interrupted inferior vena cava, the outcome is favorable. In 10% of isolated interrupted inferior vena cava, abnormal function of the spleen may be detected after delivery, necessitating antipneumococcal vaccination.