Umbilical cord variables in relation to gestational age by using ultrasonography in normal pregnancy and PIH women

Abstract

To determine whether the antenatal assessment of CSA of umbilical cord variables is different in PIH compared with healthy pregnant women by using ultrasonography and to assess its relationship with gestational age.This study was conducted in the Department of Radio-diagnosis, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, among 600 (300 normal &300 PIH) pregnant women who underwent a routine prenatal gestational sonogram ranging from 28 to 39 weeks of age.There was a significant difference observed between two groups in all umbilical cord variables except umbilical artery area. Mean ± S.D of the CSA of the umbilical cord variables for each gestational age were studied in normal and PIH women.We found that the mean value of UCA and WJA was increased till 36 weeks then it decline sharply in the normal group whereas in PIH group, the mean value of UCA increases till 36 weeks then it attain plateau and the mean value of WJA increases even after 36 weeks. Our study was first of its kind to document the CSA of UC variables and their growth pattern according to gestation age, which can be used as an informational basis for both normal and PIH pregnant women.