Umbilical Cord Weight Index Correlated with Fetal Birth Weight and Associated with Placental and Umbilical Cord Abnormalities.

BACKGROUND

Umbilical cord consists of 2 arteries and 1 vein embedded in Wharton's jelly. Umbilical cord weight has not been examined for fetal growth and placental pathology.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We have assessed umbilical cord by measuring the weight and the length during placental examination. The cord weight index (CWI) was defined as an average weight of 10 cm cord, and the normal ranges of cord diameter and CWI were established as 10th to 90th percentile.

RESULTS

A total of 520 cases of umbilical cord were examined. Normal ranges of 10th to 90th percentile of cord diameter and CWI were established. Light cord was defined as less than 10th percentile and heavy cord was greater than 90th percentile of CWI. Light cord was significantly associated with decreased cord diameter, lower placental and fetal birth weight, female sex, nuchal cord, and IUGR, while heavy cord was significantly associated with increased cord diameter, increased BMI, male sex, diabetes mellitus, and decreased maternal and fetal inflammatory responses.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrated that CWI is a novel and superior measure of cord development to diameter, and CWI can add value, providing preliminary evidence for more rigorous study and for incorporating CWI in placental examination.