Study on Structural and Histological Indices of the Umbilicus in Neonatal Asphyxia

Abstract

Background and Aim: Umbilical cord is a pathway of oxygen and nutrient supplies between mother and fetus, whose normal growth is essential for normal fetal growth. Even though it is grown enough, anomaly of umbilical cord can have negative affection on the fetus and neonate. The study was conducted to explain several structural and histological features of the umbilical cord that affect asphyxia neonatorum. Methods: Specimens were obtained from 85 cases of umbilical cords diagnosed as asphyxia neonatorum. We have evaluated the amount of Wharton’s jelly, mast cell counts distributed around the umbilical vessels, muscular remnant and segmental thinning of umbilical vessels and the presence of thrombus. Results: At grade 2 asphyxia neonatorum, Wharton’s jelly which composes umbilical cord and mast cell counts distributed around the vessels were significantly lower than the control group. There was no significant difference in the presence of muscular remnant of umbilical vessels. Segmental thinning of umbilical vein was observed only in study group, and thrombus was observed in the group of grade 2 asphyxia. Conclusion: The structural and histological factors that can affect the asphyxia neonatorum include amount of Wharton’s jelly, mast cell counts distributed around the vessels, segmental thinning of umbilical vessels and thrombus.