Abstract
Objective: To find out association between umbilical cord length and perinatal outcome.
Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted on 3,300 women
with singleton live fetus of 37-42 weeks of gestation, in spontaneous labour,
admitted in Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) Peshawar. Convenient sampling technique was used. Women with
multiple pregnancy, preterm labour, induced labour and fetus with congenital
anomalies were excluded. Length of umbilical cord was measured with flexible measuring tape. After delivery Apgar score of baby was noted at 1 and 5
minutes. Number of stillbirths, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission
and early neonatal deaths were noted to calculate perinatal outcome. Data
analysis was done using SPSS version 22.
Results: The cord length varied from 40 -100 cm. Maximum cases had cord
length between 51–60 cm (53.45 %). Both short and long cords were associated with increased incidence of fetal distress. Changes in fetal heart rate were
48 % in short cord group and 47 % in long cord group (p<0.001). Number of
still births was high in short (11.29%) and long cord group (12.57%). Birth asphyxia with low Apgar score was significantly high in short (30.64%) and long
cords (23.89%) compared to cords with normal length (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Extremes of cord lengths are associated with fetal heart rate abnormalities, birth asphyxia and poor perinatal outcome.
Tanveer Shafqat, Rehana Rahim, Shahzadi Saima Hussain. (2020) LENGTH OF UMBILICAL CORD AND PERINATAL OUTCOME, Journal of Postgraduate Medical Institute, Volume 4, Issue 2.
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