Is There an Added Neonatal Risk in Vacuum-Assisted Deliveries with Nuchal Cord?

Abstract

This retrospective cohort study assessed the association between nuchal cord and adverse outcomes during vacuum-assisted delivery (VAD). Women with singleton pregnancies, 34–41-weeks gestation, who underwent VAD, from 2014 to 2020 were included. The primary outcome was umbilical cord pH ≤ 7.1. Secondary outcomes were neonatal intensive care unit admission, Apgar scores, pH < 7.15, subgaleal hematoma, shoulder dystocia and third/fourth-degree perineal tear. Outcomes were compared between neonates with (1059/3754, 28.2%) or without (71.8%) nuchal cord after VAD. No difference in cord pH ≤ 7.1 was found between groups. The nuchal cord group had a lower rate of nulliparity (729 (68.8%) vs. 2004 (74.4%), p = 0.001) and higher maternal BMI (23.6 ± 4.3 vs. 23.1 ± 5, p = 0.017). Nuchal cord was associated with higher rates of induction (207 (19.5%) vs. 431 (16%), p = 0.009) and lower birthweights (3185 ± 413 vs. 3223 ± 436 g, p = 0.013). The main indication for VAD in 830 (80.7%) of the nuchal cord group was non-reassuring fetal heart rate (NRFHR) vs. 1989 (75.6%) controls (p = 0.004). The second stage was shorter in the nuchal cord group (128 ± 81 vs. 141 ± 80 min, p < 0.001). Multivariate regression found nulliparity, induction and birthweight as independent risk factors for nuchal cord VAD. Although induction and NRFHR rates were higher in VAD with nuchal cord, the rate of umbilical cord acidemia was not.

Umbilical cord wrapping around the neck and trunk as the cause of multi-site perinatal trauma – a case report

“…This can result in oxygen supply disturbances. The risk factors considered to increase the frequency of umbilical cord wrapping are a long umbilical cord, male fetuses, hypertensive disorder, gestational diabetes, advanced maternal age, high maternal BMI, and multiparity [4][5][6][7]. According to some authors, it does not increase neonatal morbidity [8,9].…”

“…According to some authors, it does not increase neonatal morbidity [8,9]. Nevertheless, some of the conducted studies showed that cord entanglement may be associated with higher caesarean delivery rate [2,7,10], meconium-stained amniotic fluid [6,7], umbilical cord blood acidosis [1], reduced Apgar score [2,6,11], lower birth weight [5][6][7], or even stillbirth [12].…”