**8. Conclusion**

Invasive (diagnostic and therapeutic) procedures implying the puncture of the umbilical circulation are widely guided by ultrasound. Therefore, perinatal management may be enhanced by a prenatal ultrasonographic depiction of the morphology of the umbilical cord. In early pregnancy should be undertaken targeted examination because many details of cord development become difficult to identify on ultrasound with increasing gestational age. It is known also the association with structural (especially cardiovascular) and chromosomal anomalies, and for that further extended investigation should be needed in case of detection of abnormalities in the number, structure, or course of cord vessels. Most cases with isolated congenital anomalies of UC have a favorable outcome. Particular attention should be paid to umbilical cord insertions, both fetal and placental one. In apparently isolated single umbilical artery, further ultrasound scans during the late pregnancy and continuous fetal-heart-rate monitoring during labor should be offered. The single umbilical artery assumes an additional risk and the parents should be advised of the need for extra surveillance; they have to be also aware regarding the possibility of detection of some possible associated abnormality only after delivery.
