Umbilical Coiling Index and Perinatal Outcome

Abstract

<strong>Objective(s):</strong> To study the association of umbilical coiling index and perinatal outcome. <strong>Method(s):</strong> One hundred and eighty five umbilical cords were examined. A coil is defined as a complete 360 degree spiral course of umbilical vessels around the Wharton's jelly. UCI was calculated by dividing the total number of coils by the umbilical cord length in centimeters. The outcomes measured were in terms of IUGR, fetal heart rate abnormalities during labor, meconium stained amniotic fluid, number of assisted deliveries was required, NICU admission, FSB, birth weight, ponderal index, various maternal medical illnesses. Hypocoiling was considered with UCI less than the 10th percentile and hypercoiling was considered UCI greater than the 90th percentile. Statistical analysis was done by Chi-square test, Fischer's exact test and the t-test where ever applicable. <strong>Results:</strong> The mean UCI in our study was found to be 0.19 + 0.08. 82.7% of the cords were normocoiled whereas 8.6% cords were hypocoiled as well as hypercoiled each. UCI below 0.09 was hypocoiling and above 0.26 was hypercoiling. In this study we found that PIH, IUGR, intrapartum FHR abnormalities, MSAF, increased instrumental deliveries, low APGAR scores, NICU admission, low birth weight and ponderal index were significantly associated with hypocoiling (P<0.05). IUGR and NICU admission were significantly associated with hypercoiling too (P<0.05). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Our study thus shows that abnormal umbilical coiling index is associated with adverse perinatal outcome.