Journal Article
Cryptophthalmia, microphthalmia, oronasal malformation, and hydrocephalus in an aborted equine fetus with umbilical torsion in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil
Daniel Felipe Barrantes Murillo; Gabriela Camillo; Bruna Souza Serrano; Letícia Perri Almeida Luciano; Gabriela Viana Castilho Bichara; Carlos Alberto Chaves Vás; Fernando Henrique Furlan Gouvêa; Pedro Eduardo Brandini Nespoli; Rosa Helena dos Santos Ferraz; Caroline Argenta Pescador
Veterinary Research Communications · Vol. 50, Issue 3 · 2026
Abstract
Facial abnormalities and brain defects in aborted equine fetuses are rarely reported, and the causes that predispose the occurrence of this condition are difficult to identify. This work reports the morphological and tomographic findings of a case of cryptophthalmia, microphthalmia, oronasal malformation, and hydrocephalus in an aborted equine fetus with umbilical cord torsion in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, from a primiparous Quarter Horse female, with 7 months of gestational age. The occurrence of miscarriage was associated with compromised maternal-fetal blood flow due to umbilical cord torsion concomitant with fetal malformation. The congenital defects described in this report occurred sporadically, and it was not possible to determine the cause. The concurrent presentation of congenital malformations and umbilical torsion in equine fetuses is exceptionally rare, and this report includes the first description of the use of computer tomography for the characterization of fetal congenital malformation.