Perinatal outcome in Umbilical Cord Entanglement

Abstract

Background: Prematurity and congenital abnormalities happened as a result of umbilical cord entanglement. It is possible to link cord-related problems, in which the foetal circulation is hampered by obstruction of the umbilical veins, to a major fraction of instances of intrauterine foetal death. Objectives: To evaluate how the results of the delivery are affected by nuchal umbilical cord (UC) loops during labour. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study included 470 women with singleton deliveries between 37-41 weeks of gestation from May 2019 till November 2020. Nuchal cord presence was categorized as either present or missing. The quantity of loops and the delivery results were noted, if applicable. After birth, the length of the umbilical cord was measured to see if nuchal cord loops were present. Results: The participants were classified into cases group (those with nuchal cord, n-220) and control group (without nuchal cord, n=250). The length of UC was significantly higher in the cases group (89.30 ± 14.44 vs. 73.57 ± 18.66 cm, P<0.0001) No significant differences between both groups regarding the rate of Apgar scores 7 (P-0.21), neonatal care unit admission (P-0.96) and perinatal mortality (P-0.26). Meanwhile, the length of UC was significantly higher in those with multiple nuchal loops (n=36) than single nuchal loop (n=184) (100.35 ± 1042 vs. 86,84 ± 14.07 cm. P<0.0001). The rate of Apgar scores 7, neonatal care unit admission and perinatal mortality was significantly higher in women with multiple nuchal loops than with single nuchal loop (P-0.007, 0.011, 0.043, respectively). Conclusions: Multiple nuchal cord loops increase the risk of prenatal morbidity and death in newborns. Nuchal cord loops are more frequent when the UC is long.