True Knot*

These are knots that form in the baby’s umbilical cord, occurring in 1 out of 2,000 pregnancies. They happen most often in identical twins sharing the same amniotic sac. They can also occur when babies flip and turn in the womb. Because cord vessels compress when a knot tightens, these knots are especially dangerous, increasing the chances of fetal death and brain injury from HIE significantly. Knots are detectable via ultrasound, however, and it is standard procedure to test for knots prenatally when certain risk factors exist. Failing to do so is medical negligence. Due to the high risks posed by these knots, it is common to admit the mother to the hospital for close monitoring to prevent sudden fetal distress. C-sections are often necessary in these cases.

When a baby is in the womb, the umbilical cord transports nutrient and oxygen rich blood to the baby from the mother and placenta. If the umbilical cord becomes impinged upon / occluded and there is a decrease in the flow of blood, the baby can be deprived of oxygen and nutrients. A lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain can cause permanent brain injury, such as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and cerebral palsy. Longer term umbilical cord problems can cause the baby to have intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR / small size) and brain damage.

There are many different types of umbilical cord problems that can endanger a baby. A nuchal cord is when the cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck, and a prolapsed umbilical cord is when the cord travels in front of the baby as the baby exits the birth canal. Both of these conditions can cause the cord to be impinged upon, thereby reducing the flow of blood to the baby. A nuchal cord can also cause the neck blood vessels to be constricted and congestion of the blood, both of which can deprive the brain of oxygen-rich blood.

Medical Explanations

True Umbilical Cord Knot

A true knot in the umbilical cord is exactly what it sounds like: a knot that forms in the baby’s umbilical cord. Knots occur in about 1 in every 100 pregnancies, and in 1 of every 2,000 deliveries, the baby has a true knot that causes serious problems. True knots happen most frequently in monamniotic twins (identical twins that share the same amniotic sac). Some knots arise as the the baby flips and turns during pregnancy. This is more likely to occur when relatively more amniotic fluid is surrounding the baby, as in early pregancy and cases of polyhydramnios.

Knots are also associated with multiparity (having had 2 or more previous pregnancies), advanced maternal age, and long umbilical cords. Due to the compression of the cord vessels when a knot tightens, true knots greatly increase the chances of fetal demise and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Knots can be detected with ultrasound imaging. When certain risk factors are present, such as the mother being pregnant with monoamniotic twins, it is the standard of care to test for knots prenatally.

A C-section delivery is often the safest way to deliver a baby when a true knot and foetal distress are present.

Risk Factors for a True Knot

A baby is at an increased risk of having a true knot if:

She has a long umbilical cord
She is a monoamniotic twin
Polyhydramnios
The mother is carrying twins, triplets or more
The mother is older (greater than 35 years of age)
The mother smokes or uses drugs
She is large for gestational age or macrosomic

** Researchers think that nutritional deficiencies that affect the structure and protective barrier of the cord can put a baby at risk for a true knot.

Symptoms of a True Knot

Decreased fetal activity after week 37 is a common sign of a true knot. An abnormal or non-reassuring fetal heart rate will occur when the knot is serious enough to cause a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain.

Diagnosing a True Knot

Although an abnormal or non-reassuring heart tracing can be indicative of a true knot, an ultrasound examination is the method of choice for diagnosis of a knot. Specifically, four dimensional, color doppler and power doppler examination are the most important modalities for assessment and diagnosis of a true knot.

Treating an Umbilical Cord True Knot

When risk factors for a true knot are present, an ultrasound examination should be performed to determine if there is a knot. Knots can form at any time, although they are more common in ceretain instances, such as when the cord is long, the baby is moving and the baby is a monoamniotic twin.

An ultrasound should be performed periodically during pregnancy, and when a baby has risk factors for a knot, more frequent ultrasounds are required. When a true knot is diagnosed, strict monitoring of fetal well-being is requied during pregnancy and delivery. Often, the physician will admit the mother to the hospital for close and continuous monitoring.

True knots can tighten at any time, especially during delivery. Diagnosis and close monitoring can help prevent sudden and unforseen oxygen deprivation and distress in the baby. Often, a baby must be delivered by cesarean section when a true knot is present, and if the baby is experiencing non-reassuring heart tones, an emergency C-section must be performed immediately, in most cases.

Your Legal Options

Legal Help

If you or a loved one suffered permanent damage from an umbilical cord complication, we encourage you to contact a law firm with experience in these types of complex cases. Medical Law was established to focus exclusively on birth injury cases. Since the firm’s inception, our legal team has addressed the special needs of our clients in a variety of birth injury, pregnancy and newborn medical negligence cases. Our solicitors and medical advisors determine the causes of our clients’ injuries, the prognoses of birth injured children and areas of medical negligence.

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Medical Law:   Our Priorities
As experienced solicitors, we know how to pursue these kinds of True Knot claims. We understand the needs of our clients.   We can employ the resources to be effective in complex medical negligence litigation.
Medical Law: Our Promise to You
We are dedicated to the service of our clients from our initial consultation and case review until we reach a settlement or judgment on your behalf.   Your best interests are our priority. If you or a loved one have suffered due to medical negligence, we want to help you by finding out, what happened, who was responsible and holding that responsible party or parties to account.

*In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement. This statement is made in compliance with Regulation 8 of S.I. 518 of 2002.

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Medicallaw.ie is a team of experienced solicitors and medical consultants who specialise in taking on medical negligence claims.

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