Umbilical Cord Coiling Index and Perinatal Outcome

Objectives: To evaluate the perinatal outcome with the abnormal umbilical cord coiling index. Study Design: This prospective study was carried out in the department of OBG at Adichunchangiri Institute of Medical Sciences, B. G. Nagara, Mandya, Karnataka, India from January 2008 to August 2010. 200 patients who were in active labour with term gestations, irrespective of their parities, who had singleton pregnancies with live babies who were either delivered by vaginal or LSCS were included in the study. Umbilical cord coiling index was calculated and it was correlated with various perinatal parameters like birth weight, meconium stained liquor, Apgar score, ponderal index and foetal growth restriction. Chi square and Fisher exact tests were used to find the significance of study parameters. Results: There was a significant correlation between the hypercoiled cords (UCI > 90th percentile) and IUGR of the babies (p value of < 0.001) and low ponderal indices (a p value of 0.022) Hypocoiled cords (UCI which was < 10th percentile) were significantly associated with meconium staining (p < 0.001), Apgar score at 1 min of < 4 and at 5 min of < 7 (p value 0.065), LSCS rates (p value of 0.008) and NICU admissions (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Hypercoiled cords or UCI which was > 90th percentile was associated with IUGR and low ponderal indices. Hypocoiled cords or UCI which was < 10th percentile was associated with meconium staining, Apgar score at 1 min of < 4 and at 5 min of < 7, more LSCS rates and more NICU admissions.