Vasa previa: Diagnosis and management

Abstract

Vasa previa (VP) is a catastrophic condition which, if unrecognized before the rupture of membranes or labor onset, leads to fetal exsanguination due to the laceration of fetal vulnerable blood vessels lacking the protection of Wharton’s jelly. Recently, obstetricians seem to be more careful in the scanning of umbilical cord insertion because of the increased awareness of VP and the accumulated knowledge of its risk factors, such as velamentous cord insertion, the presence of second-trimester placenta previa, bilobed placenta, and pregnancy by assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, the detection and management of VP is still challenging. In this review, the authors focus on the ultrasound diagnosis and clinical management of VP.