AbstractBackground: For many years, evaluation of umbilical cord morphology was restricted to the post-partum period and was performed by pathologists who demonstrated that a thin umbilical cord was associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. Hence; the present study was undertaken for assessing the role of USG in assessment of umbilical cord thickness.
Materials and methods: A total of 100 pregnancy subjects were included in the present study that was schedule to undergo USG. Ethical approval was obtained before the starting of the study. Written consent was obtained from all the patients after explaining in detail the entire research protocol. Only those patients were included in the present study that had gestational age of more than 20 weeks at the time of USG. Umbilical cord thickness, cross-sectional area, and coiling index were measured in a free-floating loop of umbilical cord using the software in the USG unit. The newborns were considered as low birth weight (LBW) when the birth weight was below 2500 g. All the results were recorded in Microsoft excel sheet and were analysed by SPSS software.
Results: Mean gestational age of the patients was 37.9 weeks. Mean birth weight was 3569.1 grams. 20 patients were found to be with low birth weight. Mean umbilical cord thickness was 1.59 while mean umbilical cord area was 108. Mean coiling index was found to be 0.52.
Conclusion: In uterine examination of pregnant subjects, ultrasonography is a useful tool. However; further studies are recommended.
