Effect of umbilical cord length on early fetal biomechanics. Issue 1 (20th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sánchez Gutiérrez, Juan Felipe; Olaya-C, Mercedes; Franco, Jorge Andrés; Guevara, Johana; Garzón-Alvarado, Diego Alexander; Gutiérrez Gómez, María Lucía
• Is Part Of: Computer methods in biomechanics and biomedical engineering. Volume 24:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 100
• Publication Date: 2021-05-20
• Subjects: Umbilical cord length -- fetal movements -- biomechanics -- tension; Biomechanics -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; Biomechanics -- Periodicals; Biomedical Engineering -- methods -- Periodicals; Computing Methodologies -- Periodicals; 612.7
• DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2020.1811980
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1025-5842

Abstract

Abstract: The umbilical cord suspends the fetus within the amniotic cavity, where fetal dynamics is one of its many functions. Hence, the umbilical cord is a viable index in determining fetal activity. Fetal movements result in mechanical loads that are fundamental for fetal growth. At present, mechanical environment during early human fetal development is still largely unknown. To determine early fetal movement dynamics at given physiological (0.060 m) and pathological umbilical cord lengths (0.030 m, 0.020 m, 0.017 m and 0.014 m) a 2D computational model was created to simulate dynamic movement conditions. Main findings of this computational model revealed the shortest umbilical cord length (0.014 m) with a 6 ( 10 − 6 ) N, twitch force amplitude had a two-fold increase on linear velocity ( 0.12 m / s ) in comparison with other lengths ( 0.05 m / s ) . Moreover, umbilical cord length effect presented an increasing exponential tension on the fetus body wall from longest to shortest, from 0 N in the control length to 0.05 N for the shortest umbilical cord. Last, tension was always present over a period of time for the shortest cord (0.03 N to 0.08 N). Collectively, for all variables evaluated the shortest umbilical cord (0.014 m) presented remarkable differences with other lengths in particular with the second shortest umbilical cord (0.017 m), suggesting a 0.003 m difference represents a greater biomechanical effect. In conclusion, this computational model brings new insights required by clinicians, where the magnitude of these loads could be associated with different pathologies found in the clinic.