Length of the Umbilical Cord and Perinatal Outcomes in Japanese Singleton Pregnancies Delivered at Greater Than or Equal to 34 Weeks Gestation

Abstract

Background: We examined the relation between the length of the umbilical cord and perinatal outcomes in Japanese singleton pregnancies delivered at >= 34 weeks gestation.

Method: The material reviewed consisted of the total population of Japanese women who gave birth to singleton babies at 34 - 41 weeks gestation at Japanese Red Cross Katsushika Maternity Hospital between 2002 and 2009.

Results: The average of the length of the umbilical cord was 56.2 11.7 cm (range: 19 - 133 cm). Long and short umbilical cords were defined as those umbilical cords measuring approximately + 1.5 SD above and -1.5 SD below the mean, which are >= 74 and <= 38 cm in length (5.0 and 0.9 %). Normal umbilical cords were defined as those umbilical cords measuring within 1.0 SD of the mean, which is 45 - 68 cm in length. Using logistic multivariable regression analysis, short umbilical cords were associated with the increased rate of emergent Cesarean delivery (adjusted OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.3 - 3.7, P < 0.01) while the long umbilical cords were associated with the increased rate of multiple nuchal cords and true umbilical knots (multiple nuchal cords: adjusted OR 9.16, 95% CI 7.4 - 11, P < 0.01; true umbilical knots: adjusted OR 8.95, 95% CI 5.1 - 16, P < 0.01). However they were not associated significantly with the adverse perinatal outcomes.

Conclusion: The short or long umbilical cords may not be associated with the adverse perinatal outcomes in Japanese singleton pregnancies delivered at >= 34 weeks gestation.




doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jcgo62w