Varix of the umbilical cord with report of a case

1. 1. In reviewing the literature on cord anomalies only three cases of varix were found. The largest of these was the size of a hen's egg. One case of false aneurysm, probably a varix, is reported. 2. 2. Three types of varicose tumors are recognized among these five cases reported. Three are of the thin-walled type with a relatively large cavity; one a small tumor with thickened walls and containing organized clotted blood, and one is described as simply a dilatation of the vein as it entered the umbilicus. 3. 3. In our case, when the membranes ruptured early in the second stage of labor, a large amount of old blood discoloring the amniotic fluid was released. 4. 4. The fetus was stillborn in a pallid state. It had been exsanguinated by rupture of a large varix of the umbilical cord. 5. 5. The time of rupture cannot be definitely stated but probably occurred about two or three days before the onset of labor when the mother first noticed cessation of fetal movements. 6. 6. The case reported is one of ruptured umbilical varix and adds one to the four cases which we have been able to find recorded in the literature.