Abstract
BACKGROUND: The umbilical cord is the lifeline of the foetus as it supplies water, nutrients, and oxygen. Protection of
these blood vessels is needed and provided by Wharton's Jelly, amniotic fluid and the helical pattern, or coiling, of the
umbilical cord vessels.
OBJECTIVES: To establish the relationship between antenatal umbilical cord coiling index (aUCI) measured at 16–20
weeks along with level II USG and adverse perinatal outcomes.
METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted on 302 antenatal women, enrolled at the time of fetal anatomic
survey, and their cord coiling index (aUCI) was measured, and its association with perinatal outcomes was observed.
Umbilical coiling index was classified as Hypocoiled if UCI <10th percentile, hypercoiled >90th percentile, normocoiled
between 10th and 90th percentile.
RESULTS:302 antenatal women were enrolled for the study. Mean aUCI was 0.43 ± 0.30 (normocoiled group), 0.18 ± 0.4
(hypocoiled), and 0.53 ± 0.05 (hypercoiled group). The average gestational age at delivery in hypocoiled group was 36.8
± 2.34 weeks, and it was shorter than 38.3 ± 1.82 weeks of the normocoiled group and 38.9 ± 1.72 weeks of the
hypercoiled group. Mean birth weight observed was 2055 ± 744 (hypocoiled group), 3049 ± 564 (hypercoiled), and 3102
± 564 (normocoiled) p<0.001. Preterm births 52 (59%) and low birth weight 76 (69%) were significantly associated with
hypocoiling. Abnormal umbilical cord coiling index, detected at the fetal ultrasound anatomic survey CONCLUSION: .
In the second trimester (16–20 weeks), can be used potentially used as a screening or as a predictive tool for adverse
antenatal or perinatal events.