ABSTRACT
The objective of this paper is to identify maternal risk factors for abnormal vascular
coiling of the umbilical cord. The umbilical cords of 657 neonates were examined and
the coiling index determined by dividing the total number of complete vascular coils
by the length of the cord in cm. Obstetrical history, delivery data, and neonatal
outcome were also evaluated. The frequency distribution of umbilical coiling index
was normal (10th and 90th percentile and mean ± SD = 0.17, 0.37, and 0.26 ± 0.09 coils/cm,
respectively). Maternal risk factors for abnormal vascular coiling were extremes of
age for hyper-coiling, obesity, gestational diabetes mellitus, and preeclampsia for
non-coiling. Hyper-coiled and non-coiled cords were significantly associated with
adverse perinatal outcome (p < 0.001) and cesarean delivery (p < 0.0001). Neonates whose mothers are old or young, obese, diabetic, or have preeclampsia
are likely to have hyper-coiled or non-coiled umbilical blood vessels.
KEYWORD
Gestational diabetes mellitus - preeclampsia - umbilical coiling index - umbilical
vascular coiling
