Effect of Umbilical Cord Entanglement and Position on Pregnancy Outcomes

Development of risk prediction nomogram for neonatal sepsis in Group B Streptococcus-colonized mothers: a retrospective study

Neonatal clinical sepsis is recognized as a significant health problem, This study sought to identify a predictive model of risk factors for clinical neonatal sepsis. A retrospective study was conducted from 1 October 2018 to 31 March 2023 in a large tertiary hospital in China. Neonates were divided into patients and controls based on the occurrence of neonatal sepsis. A multivariable model was used to determine risk factors and construct models.The utilization and assessment of model presentation were conducted using Norman charts and web calculators, with a focus on model differentiation, calibration, and clinical applicability (DCA). Furthermore, the hospital's data from 1 April 2023 to 1 January 2024 was utilized for internal validation. In the modelling dataset, a total of 339 pairs of mothers and their newborns were included in the study and divided into two groups: patients (n = 84, 24.78%) and controls (n = 255, 75.22%). Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between various factors and outcome. The results showed that maternal age < 26 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-4.42, p = 0.034), maternal gestational diabetes (OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.11-4.27, p = 0.024), forceps assisted delivery (OR = 3.76, 95% CI 1.72-5.21, p = 0.032), umbilical cord winding (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.32-2.67, p = 0.041) and male neonatal sex (OR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.00-2.62, p = 0.050) were identified as independent factors influencing the outcome of neonatal clinical sepsis. A main effects model was developed incorporating these five significant factors, resulting in an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.713 (95% CI 0.635-0.773) for predicting the occurrence of neonatal clinical sepsis. In the internal validation cohort, the AUC value of the model was 0.711, with a 95% CI of 0.592-0.808. A main effects model incorporating the five significant factors was constructed to help healthcare professionals make informed decisions and improve clinical outcomes.

Adverse outcomes of nonnuchal umbilical cord entanglement

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate perinatal effects of umbilical cord entanglement (UCE) of different body parts.

METHODS

The database of a tertiary medical center was retrospectively searched for women who gave birth to a liveborn singleton newborn in 2014-2018. Those diagnosed postpartum with UCE were matched 1:10 with women who were not and compared for adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes, overall and by site of entanglement.

RESULTS

A total of 14 299 women were evaluated, of whom 1243 were diagnosed with UCE: 78.7% neck, 26% trunk, 6.7% limb. UCE was associated with lower birth weight percentile and higher rate of small for gestational age, but findings were significant only for neck and trunk UCE. On multivariate regression analysis adjusted for maternal age, parity, gestational age at birth, and history of cesarean delivery, UCE was an independent risk factor for nonreassuring fetal heart rate, labor induction, operative vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery, and meconium-stained amniotic fluid, but not for lower absolute birth weight/birth weight percentile, small for gestational age, low 1-min Apgar score, or neonatal asphyxia.

CONCLUSION

While fetuses with UCE might be more compromised during labor, they apparently recover shortly after birth. The impact on perinatal outcomes was similar for UCE of the neck and trunk and lower for UCE of the limb.

The Relationship between Nuchal Cord and Adverse Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes: Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective: The twisting of the umbilical cord around the fetal neck is a common phenomenon in the delivery room, and despite the lack of univocal evidence of its negative impact on perinatal events, it causes anxiety and stress in patients. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of nuchal cord and its impact on adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study. All patients who gave birth in the clinic within one year (n = 1467) were included in the study group. We compared the prevalence of nuchal cord in distinct subgroups of patients. In the next stage, we estimated the chance of specific perinatal outcomes and compared the neonatal outcomes between groups with and without nuchal cord. Results: Nuchal cord was present in 24% of labors. It was twice as common among patients giving birth vaginally (32.14%) than among patients giving birth by a caesarean section (16.78%, p < 0.001). Nuchal cord was also more frequent in births with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (33.88% vs. 23.34%, p = 0.009). In the group of patients with nuchal cord, we observed a slight increase in the risk of a non-reassuring fetal heart rate trace (OR = 1.55, CI 95% 1.02−2.36) as an indication of the completion of labor by caesarean delivery. We did not note an increase in the risk of completing natural childbirth by vacuum extraction. In the group of nuchal cord patients, there was a higher chance of a serious or moderate neonatal condition in the first minute of life (Apgar 0−7 points) (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.14−3.49). Conclusions: Nuchal cord increases the risk of a caesarean delivery due to a non-reassuring fetal heart rate trace. Nuchal cord increases the chance of a reduced Apgar score (0−7 points) in the first minute of life. The observed relationships do not translate to neonatal arterial blood gas testing.

Umbilical cord characteristics and their association with adverse pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Current data on the role of the umbilical cord in pregnancy complications are conflicting; estimates of the proportion of stillbirths due to cord problems range from 3.4 to 26.7%. A systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to determine which umbilical cord abnormalities are associated with stillbirth and related adverse pregnancy outcomes.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Google Scholar were searched from 1960 to present day. Reference lists of included studies and grey literature were also searched. Cohort, cross-sectional, or case-control studies of singleton pregnancies after 20 weeks' gestation that reported the frequency of umbilical cord characteristics or cord abnormalities and their relationship to stillbirth or other adverse outcomes were included. Quality of included studies was assessed using NIH quality assessment tools. Analyses were performed in STATA.

RESULTS

This review included 145 studies. Nuchal cords were present in 22% of births (95% CI 19, 25); multiple loops of cord were present in 4% (95% CI 3, 5) and true knots of the cord in 1% (95% CI 0, 1) of births. There was no evidence for an association between stillbirth and any nuchal cord (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.62, 1.98). Comparing multiple loops of nuchal cord to single loops or no loop gave an OR of 2.36 (95% CI 0.99, 5.62). We were not able to look at the effect of tight or loose nuchal loops. The likelihood of stillbirth was significantly higher with a true cord knot (OR 4.65, 95% CI 2.09, 10.37).

CONCLUSIONS

True umbilical cord knots are associated with increased risk of stillbirth; the incidence of stillbirth is higher with multiple nuchal loops compared to single nuchal cords. No studies reported the combined effects of multiple umbilical cord abnormalities. Our analyses suggest specific avenues for future research.

Current Perspectives of Prenatal Sonographic Diagnosis and Clinical Management Challenges of True Knot of the Umbilical Cord

Umbilical cord accidents preceding labor are rare. Single and multiple nuchal cords, and true knot(s) of the umbilical cord, are often incidental findings noted at delivery of non-hypoxic non-acidotic newborns without any evidence of subsequent adverse neonatal outcome. In contrast to single nuchal cords, true knots of the umbilical cord, which occur in between 0.04% and 3% of all deliveries, have been associated with a reported 4 to 10 fold increased risk of stillbirth. First reported with real-time ultrasound, current widespread application of color Doppler, power Doppler and three-dimension sonography, has enabled increasingly more accurate prenatal sonographic diagnoses of true knot(s) of the umbilical cord. Reflecting the inability to visualize the entire umbilical cord at prenatal ultrasound assessment, despite detailed second and third-trimester scanning, many occurrences of incidental true knot of the umbilical cord remain undetected and are noted only at delivery. Although prenatal sonographic diagnostic accuracy is increasing, false positive sonographic diagnosis of true knot of the umbilical cord cannot be ruled out with certainty, and must continue to be considered clinically. Notwithstanding the inability to diagnose all true knots, currently there is a clear absence of clinical management guidelines by governing bodies regarding patients in whom prenatal sonographic diagnosis of true knot(s) of the umbilical cord is / are suspected. As a result, in many prenatal ultrasound units, suspected sonographic findings suggestive of or consistent with true knot of the umbilical cord are often disregarded, not documented, and patients are not uniformly informed of this potentially life-threatening condition, which carries an associated considerable risk of stillbirth. This commentary will address current perspectives of prenatal sonographic diagnostic and management challenges associated with true knot(s) of the umbilical cord in singleton pregnancies.

The effect of nuchal cord on perinatal mortality and long-term offspring morbidity

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate perinatal and long-term cardiovascular and respiratory morbidities of children born with nuchal cord.

STUDY DESIGN

A large population-based cohort analysis of singleton deliveries was conducted. Maternal and birth characteristics, as well as cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity incidence were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare cumulative hospitalization incidence between groups. Cox regression models were used to control for possible confounders and follow-up length.

RESULTS

243,682 deliveries were included. Of them, 34,332 (14.1%) were diagnosed with nuchal cord. Perinatal mortality rate was comparable between groups (0.5 vs. 0.6%, p = 0.16). Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated no significant differences in cumulative cardiovascular or respiratory morbidity incidence between groups (log rank p = 0.69 and p = 0.10, respectively). Cox regression models reaffirmed a comparable risk for hospitalization between groups (aHR = 0.99 (95% CI 0.85-1.14, p = 0.87) and aHR = 0.97 (95% CI 0.92-1.02, p = 0.28).

CONCLUSIONS

Nuchal cord is not associated with higher rate of perinatal mortality nor long-term cardiorespiratory morbidity.

Evaluation of umbilical cord entanglement as a predictive factor of adverse pregnancy outcomes: A meta-analysis

The purpose of the present systematic review is to summarize current data concerning the impact of umbilical cord entanglement on adverse pregnancy outcomes. We used the Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials CENTRAL and Google Scholar databases. We selected all observational (both prospective and retrospective) studies for inclusion. Meta-analysis of the risk ratios (RR) was performed with RevMan 5.3 software. Univariate meta-regression and leave-one-out meta-analysis was performed with Open Meta-Analyst statistical software. Trial sequential analysis was performed with the TSA software. Overall, twenty studies were included in the present study with 267,233 pregnant women (50.103 with cord entanglement and 217,130 controls). An increased risk of neonatal Apgar score <7 at the first minute of life was observed among cases with cord entanglement (RR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.46, 2.11). Fetal distress was significantly higher in the entanglement group (RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.33, 1.69). The incidence of fetal pH < 7.1 was also significantly higher in the entanglement group (RR 1.73, 95% CI 1.48, 2.03). Adequate power was observed in all investigated outcomes of our primary analysis after evaluating the results of the TSA analysis. Prediction intervals designated that future studies were likely to report increased risk of low Apgar score at the first minute of life, increased risk of fetal distress as well as of observing a fetal pH < 7.1. Concluding, the findings of this systematic review suggest that there is sufficient evidence to support the involvement of cord entanglement to adverse neonatal perinatal outcomes.

Impact of nuchal cord on antenatal and intrapartum foetal heart rate surveillance and perinatal outcome

Analysing antepartum and intrapartum computerised cardiotocographic (cCTG) parameters in physiological term pregnancies with nuchal (NC) or body cord (BC), in order to correlate them with labour events and neonatal outcome. We enrolled 808 pregnant women, composed of 264 with 'one NC', 121 with 'multiple NCs', 39 with BC and 384 with 'no NC', were monitored from the 37th week of gestation before labour, while 49 pregnant women with 'one or more NCs' and 47 with 'no NCs' were analysed during labour. No differences in maternal characteristics, foetal pH at birth and 5-min Apgar score were observed. The birth weight was significantly lower in the 'multiple NCs' group, while 1-minute Apgar score was lower in the BC group than the other groups, respectively. No relevant differences in cCTG parameters were observed, except for LTI, Delta and number of variable decelerations in antepartum period and only variable deceleration in intrapartum period.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Ultrasound cannot predict which foetuses with NCs are likely to have problem during labour. The question arose if single or multiple NC could affects FHR monitoring prior and during labour.What do the results of this study add? Computerised cardiotocography (cCTG) is a standardised method developed to reduce inter- and intra-observer variability and the poor reproducibility of visual analysis. Few studies have investigated the influence of NCs on FHR variability and, to our knowledge, no one has evaluated its linear and nonlinear characteristics in antepartum and intrapartum period using a computerised analysis system. No differences in maternal characteristics, foetal pH at birth and 5-min Apgar score were observed. Birth weight was significantly lower in the 'multiple NCs' group, while 1-min Apgar score was lower in the BC group than the other groups, respectively. Foetuses with 'one or more NCs' evidenced a larger number of prolonged second stage and meconium-stained liquor cases, while the operative vaginal delivery and emergency caesarean section rates were unchanged. No relevant differences in cCTG parameters were observed, except for LTI, Delta and number of variable decelerations in antepartum period and only variable deceleration in intrapartum period.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? cCTG monitoring results confirmed their usefulness for assessing the state of good oxygenation for all foetuses investigated.

Does nuchal cord at birth increase the risk for cerebral palsy?

BACKGROUND

Nuchal cord is a common finding in pregnancy. It is unclear whether a nuchal cord at birth causes birth asphyxia and raises the risk for developing cerebral palsy of the offspring.

AIM

To evaluate the incidence of cerebral palsy in children born with and without nuchal cord.

STUDY DESIGN

A population-based cohort analysis including all singleton deliveries over >20 years at a single tertiary medical center was conducted. The incidence of cerebral palsy in children up to 18 years of age was evaluated. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to compare cumulative incidence between the groups, and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to control for confounders.

RESULTS

During the study period, 243,682 singleton deliveries met the inclusion criteria. Of them, 14.1% (n = 34,332) were diagnosed with nuchal cord at birth. Rates of cerebral palsy were comparable between the groups (0.1% vs. 0.1%, OR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.69-1.52, p = 0.89). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve demonstrated no significant differences in cumulative incidence of cerebral palsy for children born with or without nuchal cord (log rank p = 0.92, Fig. 1). The Cox proportional hazards model, controlled for preterm delivery, maternal age, diabetes and hypertensive disorders, showed no association between nuchal cord and cerebral palsy (adjusted HR = 1.06; 95% CI 0.71-1.57; p = 0.77).

CONCLUSION

In our population, nuchal cord at birth was not associated with higher risk for cerebral palsy.

Multiple part umbilical cord entanglement and neonatal outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Umbilical cord entanglement is known to be a major cause of fetal hypoxia and to be correlated with several neonatal complications, but almost all of the previous reports were restricted to nuchal cord. In this study, we retrospectively examined the correlation between multiple part cord entanglement and pregnancy outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 2156 cases were recruited from term deliveries in our hospital from 2008 to 2012. We counted umbilical cord loop numbers not only for nuchal cord but also for trunk and limb cord entanglement. We classified the cases into three groups: no loop, single loop and multiple loops group. We statistically analyzed pregnancy outcomes statistically in the three groups.

RESULTS

One thousand, four hundred and fifty-eight cases had no cord entanglement, 594 cases had single loop entanglement and 104 cases had multiple loops entanglement. Values of umbilical artery blood, pH (p = 0.002) and base excess (p < 0.001) showed significantly unfavorable status in entanglement cases, especially in the multiple loops group. A significantly larger percentage of neonates in the multiple loops group needed for oxygen (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Multiple umbilical cord entanglement is highly correlated with early neonatal unfavorable status and need for resuscitation.

Risk Factors Affecting the Severity of Full-Term Neonatal Retinal Hemorrhage

Objective

The purpose of this study was to explore the underlying clinical factors associated with the degree of retinal hemorrhage (RH) in full-term newborns.

Methods

A total of 3054 full-term infants were included in this study. Eye examinations were performed with RetCamIII within one week of birth for all infants. Maternal, obstetric, and neonatal parameters were compared between newborns with RH and controls. The RH group was divided into three sections (I, II, and III) based on the degree of RH.

Results

RH was observed in 1202 of 3054 infants (39.36%) in this study. The quantity and proportion of newborns in groups I, II, and III were 408 (13.36%), 610 (19.97%), and 184 (6.03%), respectively. Spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD), prolonged duration of second stage of labor, advanced maternal age, and neonatal intracranial hemorrhage positively correlated with aggravation of the degree of RH in newborns. Conversely, cesarean section was protective against the incidence of RH.

Conclusions

SVD, prolonged duration of second stage of labor, advanced maternal age, and neonatal intracranial hemorrhage were potential risk factors for aggravation of the degree of RH in full-term infants. Accordingly, infants with these risk factors may require greater attention with respect to RH development.

Original paper. Do Umbilical Cord Wrapped Around the Fetal Body Can Mimic Signs of Aortal Coarctation?

Objectives: Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is an irreversible congenital heart defect. Its prenatal diagnosis is not rare a subject to false-positive conclusion. We present a novel hypothesis explaining the basis of this error.

Methods: Ten cases of prenatal suspicion of the coarctation of the aorta (based on disproportion at the level of 4 chamber view and mediastinum) coincidenced with the umbilical cord wrapped around the fetal body were found in the Filemaker datebase of the Fetal Cardiology Department. Only single pregnancies were taken into account. In all cases another cardiac and extracardiac malformations were excluded.

Results: The mean maternal age was 29,6 years. The mean gestational age was 33 7/8 weeks. All fetuses were in a good cardiovascular condition. The usual position of the umbilical cord was neck, but they were also location such as nucha, abdomen or lower limb. At birth, all newborns had normal anatomy of the heart. We conclude that the explanation of the false diagnosis was haemodynamic, resulting from the compression of the fetal neck by the umbilical cord that resulted in a disproportion of cardiac blood flow, “mimicking” CoA.

Conclusions:

1. Functional disturbances can mimic prenatal CoA.

2. Umbilical cord position (specially enlacing the fetus neck) should be taken into consideration in suspected cases of fetal CoA.