Bioengineering aspects of the umbilical cord

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Fetal Medicine

Background:

• The umbilical cord's structure, including amnion, Wharton's jelly, arteries, and vein, protects fetal blood flow.
• Smooth muscle and extracellular matrix (ECM) regulate blood flow, while Wharton's jelly prevents vessel compression.
• Impaired blood flow, detectable via Doppler ultrasound, is linked to conditions like preeclampsia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review alterations in umbilical cord anatomy, disease, and chromosomal abnormalities.
• To explore how existing knowledge of umbilical cord tissues can infer biomechanical function.
• To discuss the mechanical consequences of structural and compositional changes, particularly in preeclampsia.

Main Methods:

• Sonography and Doppler ultrasound for blood flow assessment.
• Histology, biomolecular, and biochemical analyses for tissue composition.
• Review of studies on biomechanics of intact umbilical cords in normal and abnormal pregnancies.

Main Results:

• Mechanosensory communication may link ECM and cell interactions to abnormal cord dimensions and hemodynamics.
• Umbilical cord alterations are associated with anatomical abnormalities, diseases, and chromosomal issues.
• Preeclampsia is highlighted as a condition involving impaired umbilical cord hemodynamics and altered tissue composition.

Conclusions:

• Understanding umbilical cord biomechanics is crucial for diagnosing and managing fetal complications.
• Structural and compositional abnormalities significantly impact cord function and fetal well-being.
• Further research into umbilical cord biomechanics can improve understanding of pregnancy complications like preeclampsia.