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Standards for measuring umbilical cord length
Placenta
|October 1, 1983
Insights
This study analyzed umbilical cord length in over 18,000 infants, establishing growth charts. Results show significant differences between sexes and continuous growth during the third trimester.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Fetal Development
- Neonatal Research
Background:
- Umbilical cord length is a critical indicator of fetal well-being.
- Establishing normative data for umbilical cord length is essential for clinical practice.
- Variations in cord length can be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct normative growth charts for umbilical cord length in the US white population.
- To investigate the relationship between umbilical cord length and gestational age.
- To identify sex-based differences in umbilical cord length.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of umbilical cord length in a large cohort of neonates (9620 males, 9068 females).
- Statistical analysis to correlate cord length with gestational age and infant sex.
- Development of growth charts based on collected data.
Main Results:
- Umbilical cord length demonstrates wide variability at the same gestational age.
- Male infants exhibit significantly longer umbilical cords compared to female infants (P < 0.0001).
- Umbilical cord growth continues throughout the third trimester of gestation.
Conclusions:
- The study provides essential normative data for umbilical cord length, aiding in clinical assessment.
- Sex is a significant determinant of umbilical cord length.
- Continuous cord growth in the third trimester highlights ongoing fetal development processes.
Abstract:
Umbilical cord length was measured in 9620 male and 9068 female infants and related to gestational age in order to construct a growth chart for umbilical cords. In addition to providing a standard for the US white population, these growth charts illustrate that umbilical cord length is widely divergent at the same gestational age, males have longer cords than females (P less than 0.0001), and umbilical cord growth continues throughout the third trimester.