Evaluation of Sonographic Measurement of Umbilical Cord Coiling Index in the Second Trimester and Its Correlation to Perinatal Outcome

Abstract

The umbilical cord represents a unique lifeline between the fetus and mother and contains two arteries and one vein wrapped up in Wharton’s jelly with moderate twists. Umbilical coiling abnormalities can result in fetal growth restriction, fetal distress, or intrauterine fetal death. Hypocoiled umbilical cords are associated with intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), fetal growth restriction, fetal distress, low Apgar scores, fetal congenital anomalies, and abnormal insertion of the umbilical cord. Hypercoiled umbilical cords are associated with IUFD, fetal distress, asphyxia, fetal congenital anomalies, and the presence of a single umbilical artery. The aim of this work is to determine if the umbilical Cord coiling index measurement during second trimester ultrasound scan can predict perinatal outcome. Seventy eight healthy uncomplicated pregnant women who regularly attended the antenatal care clinic for antenatal care and to do anomaly ultrasound scan on her baby in 2nd trimester. All participants were informed about the aims and the procedures of the study and signed an informed consent form prior to beginning. Regular antenatal cThe umbilical cord represents a unique lifeline between the fetus andmother and contains two arteries and one vein wrapped up in Wharton’s jelly with moderate twists. Umbilical coiling abnormalities canresult in fetal growth restriction, fetal distress, or intrauterine fetal death. Hypocoiled umbilical cords are associated with intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), fetal growth restriction, fetal distress, low Apgar scores, fetal congenital anomalies, and abnormal insertion of the umbilical cord. Hypercoiled umbilical cords are associated with IUFD, fetal distress, asphyxia, fetal congenital anomalies, and the presence of a single umbilical artery. The aim of this work is to determine if the umbilical Cord coiling index measurement during second trimester ultrasound scan can predict perinatal outcome. Seventy eight healthy uncomplicated pregnant women who regularly attended the antenatal care clinic for antenatal care and to do anomaly ultrasound scan on her baby in 2nd trimester. All participants were informed about the aims and the procedures of the study and signed an informed consent form prior to beginning. Regular antenatal care visit was done every two weeks till delivery with assessment of perinatal outcomes regarding: gestational age at delivery, fetal monitoring by CTG, method of delivery, meconium staining amniotic fluid or not, examination by apgar score at 1stand 5th minute, birth weight, admission to NICU or not and perinatal death. According to umbilical cord index, of total 78 pregnant women who completed the study 62 (79.2%) were having normal UC coiling, 10 of cases (12.8%) were having hypocoiling and 6 (7.7%) were having hypercoiling. Our results showed that hypo- and hyper-coiling were associated with increased incidence of preterm labor (32-36 weeks) “22.2%and 40% respectively” while normo-coiling was associated with lesser incidence “2%”. Both hypocoiling “10%” and hypercoiling “16.7%”groups showed higher incidence of IUGR when compared with the normocoiling group “1.6%”. APGAR score at minute one was significantly lower in the both hypocoiling and hypercoiling groups than the normocoiling group with p- value: 0.005. While at minute five, there was no significant difference between the three groups of the study. Conclusion: The abnormal umbilical coiling index “< 10th percentile or > 90th percentile” is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Therefore, early evaluation on Umbilical cord Index in the 2nd trimester can identify fetuses who are at risk and thus help in further management.are visit was done every two weeks till delivery with assessment of perinatal outcomes regarding: gestational age at delivery, fetal monitoring by CTG, method of delivery, meconium staining amniotic fluid or not, examination by apgar score at 1stand 5th minute, birth weight, admission to NICU or not and perinatal death. According to umbilical cord index, of total 78 pregnant women who completed the study 62 (79.2%) were having normal UC coiling, 10 of cases (12.8%) were having hypocoiling and 6 (7.7%) were having hypercoiling. Our results showed that hypo- and hyper-coiling were associated with increased incidence of preterm labor (32-36 weeks) “22.2%and 40% respectively” while normo-coiling was associated with lesser incidence “2%”. Both hypocoiling “10%” and hypercoiling “16.7%”groups showed higher incidence of IUGR when compared with the normocoiling group “1.6%”. APGAR score at minute one was significantly lower in the both hypocoiling and hypercoiling groups than the normocoiling group with p- value: 0.005. While at minute five, there was no significant difference between the three groups of the study. Conclusion: The abnormal umbilical coiling index “< 10th percentile or > 90th percentile” is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Therefore, early evaluation on Umbilical cord Index in the 2nd trimester can identify fetuses who are at risk and thus help in further management.