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Umbilical cord length in Down's syndrome
American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
|December 1, 1986
Summary
Newborn infants with Down's syndrome have significantly shorter umbilical cords compared to healthy infants. This finding may link fetal activity and genetics to umbilical cord development.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Fetal motor activity is a known factor influencing umbilical cord growth.
- Down's syndrome is characterized by hypotonicity and reduced fetal movement in utero.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that newborn infants with Down's syndrome have shorter umbilical cords.
- To compare umbilical cord lengths in infants with Down's syndrome to matched controls.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 21 infants with Down's syndrome was identified.
- Umbilical cord lengths were measured and compared to population-based, sex-, race-, and gestational age-matched standards.
Main Results:
- Infants with Down's syndrome exhibited significantly shorter umbilical cords (mean 45.1 cm) than matched standards (mean 57.3 cm).
Conclusions:
- Newborns with Down's syndrome have shorter umbilical cords, potentially due to decreased fetal activity, genetic factors, or a combination.
- Further research could explore the correlation between shortened cord length, in utero hypoactivity, and neurodevelopmental outcomes in Down's syndrome.