Ultrasound screening of umbilical cord abnormalities and delivery management

Abstract

With the improvement of prenatal diagnoses of foetuses, the prevalence of stillbirth due to foetal anomaly after mid-gestation decreased, whereas that of stillbirth associated with umbilical cord factors tended to increase. Prenatal detection of umbilical cord abnormalities and appropriate management during the antenatal period and delivery based on the ultrasound diagnosis will improve the perinatal morbidity and mortality rates. In the present review, the strategy to reduce the incidence of foetal compromise due to umbilical cord problems is discussed considering the current knowledge regarding the physiological and pathological aspects of umbilical cord abnormalities.

Keywords: Caesarean section; Hypo-coiled cord; Single umbilical artery; Umbilical cord prolapse.