Umbilical Cord Coiling Index at Term Gestation and Its Association with Perinatal Outcomes

Abstract

Background: Umbilical coiling index (UCI) is the number of coils in the cord divided by the cordlength in centimeters. .On the basis of UCI umbilical cords have been grouped as: hypocoiled,( UCILess than 10th percentile ) normocoiled ( UCI between 10th–90th percentile) and hypercoiled (UCIMore than 90th percentile). Various reports have shown that abnormal coiling index is associated withadverse perinatal outcomes.There is a wide variations among the various studies done so far. Somestudies have reported significant association between abnormal UCI and adverse perinatal outcomeswhereas few studies did not show significant association. Material & Methods: This prospective studywas conducted on 200 randomly selected Indian pregnant women with singleton pregnancy at POG 37weeks.The UCI less than 10th percentile and more than 90th percentile were considered as hypocoiledand hypercoiled respectively Then association between abnormal UCI and intrapartum events (fetalheart rate (FHR) abnormality, meconium stained liquor, mode of delivery )and neonatal outcome ( birthweight, IUGR,Apgar score and need for NICU admission ) were evaluated. Results & Conclusion Themean UCI was 0.21 0.08 coils /cms. (9.50%) coils were hypocoiled 81%) were, normocoiled andhypercoiled were (9.50%). No statistically significant association was found between abnormal coilingand perinatal outcomes