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Umbilical vascular coiling and nuchal entanglement
T H Strong1, M P Manriquez-Gilpin, B G Gilpin
1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Phoenix Perinatal Associates, Arizona, USA.
The Journal of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Fetuses with nuchal cords often have less vascular coiling. A lower umbilical coiling index indicates a higher risk of nuchal cords in newborns.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics
- Perinatology
- Fetal Development
Background:
- Nuchal cords, where the umbilical cord encircles the fetal neck, are a common finding.
- Reduced vascular coiling of the umbilical cord has been anecdotally linked to nuchal cords.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively assess the association between umbilical cord vascular coiling density and the presence of nuchal cords.
- To determine if the umbilical coiling index can predict nuchal cord entanglement.
Main Methods:
- The study involved 200 consecutive liveborn neonates.
- The umbilical coiling index (UCI) was calculated for each neonate by dividing the number of vascular coils by the cord length in centimeters.
- UCI was compared between neonates with and without nuchal cords.
Main Results:
- The mean UCI was significantly lower in neonates with nuchal cords (0.18 coils/cm) compared to those without (0.21 coils/cm).
- A UCI less than or equal to 0.10 coils/cm was associated with a 42% incidence of nuchal cords.
- A UCI greater than or equal to 0.30 coils/cm had only a 4.8% incidence of nuchal cords.
Conclusions:
- A significant relationship exists between reduced umbilical vascular coiling density and nuchal cord entanglement.
- The umbilical coiling index may serve as a potential indicator for nuchal cord presence.