Hong Kong Med J 2007;13(Suppl 1):S44-6
To assess the predictive value of ultrasonic assessment of umbilical cord morphology for intrapartum foetal distress
MS Rogers
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong,
Shatin
1. Umbilical coiling index (UCI) and umbilical cord entanglement are independent factors in the generation of oxidative stress in the neonate during labour.
2. Umbilical coiling is not completed at the end of the first trimester as originally thought.
3. Late changes in coiling direction result in a poor agreement between second trimester ultrasound measurements and the actual UCI at birth.
4. Whilst second trimester measurement of UCI was predictive of foetal distress in labour, its sensitivity was poor and it was not predictive of oxidative stress or base deficit in the neonate.
2. Umbilical coiling is not completed at the end of the first trimester as originally thought.
3. Late changes in coiling direction result in a poor agreement between second trimester ultrasound measurements and the actual UCI at birth.
4. Whilst second trimester measurement of UCI was predictive of foetal distress in labour, its sensitivity was poor and it was not predictive of oxidative stress or base deficit in the neonate.