Can it really predict prior to delivery? A new ultrasonographic method for prediction of short and long umbilical cords in full-term pregnancy. (17th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sahin, M. Eraslan; Sahin, E.; Basbug, M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine. Volume 32:Number 24(2019)
• Page Start: 4097
• Page End: 4101
• Publication Date: 2019-12-17
• Subjects: Amniotic fluid evaluation -- four-quadrant technique -- umbilical coiling -- umbilical cord length index -- uncomplicated pregnancies; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Perinatology -- Periodicals; Infants (Newborn) -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neonatology -- Periodicals; 618.2
• DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1481947
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-7058

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to ultrasonographically determine the presence of short and long umbilical cords in full-term, uncomplicated pregnancies before delivery. Methods: A total of 681 pregnant women aged between 18 and 35 years who had a single pregnancy and an intact amniotic membrane, and who were past the 37th week of gestation, were included. Umbilical cord lengths were ultrasonographically evaluated using a new method, and were compared with postnatal umbilical cord length. Results: The mean index values for short, normal, and long umbilical cords were 2.96, 5.36, and 6.98, respectively. The cut-off index value for a short umbilical cord was 3.75 and the sensitivity and specificity were calculated as 67 and 97%, respectively, for a value ≤3, and as 92 and 80%, respectively, for a value ≤4. The cut-off index value was 6.25 for a long umbilical cord and the sensitivity and specificity were calculated as 75 and 78%, respectively, for a value ≥6, and as 85 and 64%, respectively, for a value ≥6.5. Conclusions: Calculation of the umbilical cord length index is a new ultrasonographic method that can be easily used to predict short and long umbilical cords during routine amniotic fluid evaluation in full-term pregnancies.