Umbilical cord diameter in the prediction of foetal growth restriction: a cross sectional study

Abstract

This was a cross sectional study with a prospective design conducted from October 2018 to October 2019. We recruited patients at risk for FGR and normal pregnant women. Each patient had ultrasound examination for the umbilical cord diameter in the 28th, 32nd, 36th, and the 40th week, Foetal growth restriction developed in 10/76 (13.2%) patients in the at risk group. The umbilical cord diameter was significantly lower in the at risk group (1.8 ± 0.2 versus 2.0 ± 0.2 in the control group with a p value of <.001). The umbilical cord diameter was highly predictive for the occurrence of FGR at each antenatal care visit as well as at delivery. We concluded that the umbilical cord diameter was a significant predictor of foetal growth restriction when applied through the antenatal care visits. It is a simple and easy method causing no distress for the patients. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Conflicting results exist regarding the predictive role of the umbilical cord in foetal growth restriction. What do the results of this study add? Foetal umbilical cord diameter was correlated significantly to foetal weight and had a significant predictive role in the prediction of FGR. The cut off values for the umbilical cord diameter in women with FGR were not evaluated before. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Comparing the ultrasound findings with histopathologic examination of the umbilical cord and the placentas would be recommended.