Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis and pregnancy outcomes of closure of ductus venosus: a single‑center retrospective study.

This research aims to summarize the ultrasound features and pregnancy outcomes of closure of ductus venosus, providing a basis for prenatal consultation and clinical management. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital in China, involving pregnant patients diagnosed with ductus venosus closure between January 2020 and December 2023. Data on maternal age, gestational age, ultrasound findings, timing and method of pregnancy termination, and pregnancy outcomes were collected. Twenty-five pregnant women were diagnosed with ductus venosus closure during the study period. Among them, 12 cases (48%, 12/25) were associated with other abnormalities. Of these, 4 cases (33.33%, 4/12) resulted in live births, while 8 cases (66.67%, 8/12) led to induced labor due to major abnormalities. The remaining 13 cases (52%, 13/25) involved isolated ductus venosus closure, with 1 case (7.69%, 1/13) of intrauterine fetal death and 12 cases (92.31%, 12/13) of successful delivery. The closure of the ductus venosus was primarily characterized by the tramline sign (52%, 13/25) and the cord sign (48%, 12/25) on two-dimensional ultrasound, with no detectable blood flow on Doppler ultrasound imaging. Ductus venosus closure can occur as an isolated finding (52%) or in conjunction with other abnormalities (48%), with cardiac anomalies being the most common. The closure of ductus venosus can occur during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The two-dimensional ultrasound showing tramline sign or cord sign, along with the absence of blood flow on Doppler ultrasound imaging, should raise suspicion of closure of ductus venosus.