Risk Factors and Outcomes Associated with a Short Umbilical Cord
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51985/Keywords:
Apgar score; Birth weight; Maternal outcomes; Neonatal outcomes; Umbilical cordAbstract
Objectives: To investigate risk factors and outcomes associated with a short umbilical cord.
Study design and setting: This study was conducted cross-sectionally at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH), Peshawar.
Methodology: A total of 134 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies were included in this study, using consecutive non-probability sampling, over six months from August 2, 2024, to January 31, 2025. Umbilical cord length was measured immediately after delivery and categorized as short (<35 cm), normal (35–80 cm), and long (>80 cm). Maternal outcomes assessed included mode of delivery, labor complications, and intrapartum events. Neonatal outcomes included birth weight, Apgar score, small for gestational age status, NICU admission, and perinatal mortality. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Chi-square test was applied, and a p-value <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Short cords were associated with higher rates of cesarean delivery (38.8%), fetal distress (29.9%), and NICU admission (16.4%). Long cords were more often linked to intrapartum complications such as cord prolapse (7.5%) and abnormal labor progression (12.7%). Neonatal outcomes revealed 23.1% low birth weight, 14.9% low Apgar scores, 9.7% small for gestational age, 16.4% NICU admissions, and 3.7% perinatal mortality. All associations were statistically significant (p <0.05).
Conclusions: Abnormal umbilical cord length is significantly associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Early identification and monitoring may improve perinatal prognosis and guide timely interventions
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