Background: Intrauterine fetal death is a complication that cannot often be predicted by standard obstetric management. Cord accident may be responsible for about 5% of cases. Umbilical cord torsion is an extremely rare cause of intrauterine fetal death.
Case: An 18-year-old, nulliparous woman presented with a complaint of decreased fetal movement at 38 weeks' gestation. Intrauterine fetal death was diagnosed on ultrasound. The pathologic examination revealed umbilical cord torsion and confirmed a single umbilical artery that was diagnosed on ultrasound.
Conclusion: Umbilical cord torsion that leads to intrauterine fetal death is extremely rare. A pregnancy with a single umbilical artery may need fetal monitoring during the third trimester.