The Presence of a Single Nuchal Cord in the Third Trimester May Not Affect Tei Index in LGA Fetuses.

(1)

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the RV (right ventricle) and LV (left ventricle) Tei index in large for gestational age (LGA) fetuses with a single 360-degree umbilical coil of the umbilical cord around the fetal neck identified by ultrasound in the third trimester of gestation. (2)

Methods

The RV and LV Tei index for the cardiac function were measured in 297 singleton pregnancies, and we identified 25 LGA fetuses. There were 48% of LGA fetuses with a nuchal umbilical cord-LGA/NC-larger for gestational age fetuses with a nuchal cord. NC was detected with a color Doppler during a transverse scan of the fetal neck, when the umbilical cord formed a U shape. All fetuses had normal anatomy and normal uterine, placental, umbilical, intracardiac and cerebral Doppler waveforms values for their gestational age. (3)

Results

The RV Tei index was significantly higher in the LGA subgroup vs. AGA (0.6 ± 0.2 vs. 0.50 ± 0.2; p value = 0.01), but in LGA fetuses with a single coil of the nuchal cord, there were not any significant changes in the Tei indexes. (4)

Conclusions

The Tei index might not be impacted by the presence of the nuchal cord in LGA fetuses.