Nuchal Cord at Delivery and Neonatal Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective: The present study was aimed at evaluating the outcome of pregnancies with a nuchal cord. Methods: A retrospective population-based study of all deliveries during the years 2011-2020 in Philippe Maguilen SENGHOR Center was conducted. Perinatal outcome of patients with and without nuchal cord was compared. Results: Among 44,958 deliveries during the study period, 1.8% had a nuchal cord, documented at birth (n = 807). Higher rates of labor induction (9.1% vs. 3.2%; p 0.001) and non-reassuring fetal heart rate patterns (RR = 2.366; CI: 1.631 - 3.432) were noted among pregnancies with nuchal cord as compared with the control group. The cesarean delivery rate was significantly higher among pregnancies with a nuchal cord (39.5% vs. 21.8%; RR = 2333; CI: 2.023 - 2.692). Although 5 min Apgar scores lower than 7 were more common in pregnancies with a nuchal cord (7.8% vs. 3.8%; RR = 2.117; CI: 1.629 - 3.363). There was no statistical significance between the two groups for the perinatal mortality. Conclusion: Nuchal cord is associated with prolonged labor and adverse perinatal outcome.