MORPHOMETRY OF UMBILICAL CORD AND ITS RELATION WITH UMBILICAL ARTERIES- A FOETAL STUDY.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Sreekumar Rajasekharan,
Flat.no-615, Block-4,
EMS Nagar, Pattoor, Vanchiyoor P.O.
Thiruvananthapuram-695035.
E-mail: drsreekumarrs@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Survival of the foetus depends upon the state of the umbilical cord and the vascularity that it provides. So naturally umbilical cord morphometry and its variations were assumed to be a significant cause for foetal death.

The aim of this study was to study the morphological changes in the umbilical cord and its vasculature seen in dead foetuses.

Materials and methods

Descriptive methods were used to assess the patterns of intra-group findings in umbilical cord. Total of 110 foetal autopsy cases were considered for this study.

Results

The length of umbilical cord and its diameter increases with an increase in gestational age. The external diameter of umbilical cord was more in foetuses with normal umbilical cord than the foetuses with single umbilical artery. This may be due to the absence of one of the umbilical arteries.

Conclusion

As umbilical cord anomalies can be diagnosed prenatally, awareness and detection of the conditions in the antenatal period will improve foetal survival and reduce infant mortality.

Keywords

Morphometry, Umbilical cord, Umbilical artery, Foetus.