Sonographic Assessment of the Umbilical Cord Diameter (UCD) to Determine the Gestational Age among Pregnant Women in a Healthy Nigerian Population

Background: The knowledge of the exact gestational age of a foetus is required for comprehensive pregnancy care. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the umbilical cord diameter in order to determine foetal gestational age using ultrasonography. Methods: A purposive sample of four hundred singleton pregnancies with gestational age of between 14 to 40 weeks were considered for this study. Transabdominal ultrasound scans were performed and measurements of the Umbilical Cord Diameter (UCD) were obtained in a cross-sectional plane of the umbilical cord at a point 2.0 cm away from the point of insertion into the foetal abdomen. Results: The mean UCD value was 13.3 mm±6.17mm. Mean recorded value for AC, FL, HC, BPD were190 mm± 90.60 mmSD, 43.6mmmm± 18.93mm, 211.8mm ± 78,34mm, 61.32± 22.64mm respectively. Umbilical cord diameter correlated positively with the LMP and AC (r = 0.993, p < 0.0001; r = 0.952, P = 0,0001) respectively. A strong positive and significant correlation was also noted between the UCD and other dating parameters (r = 0.925 P = 0.0001; r = 0.955, P = 0.0001, r = 0.972, P = 0.0001) respectively for FL, HC and BPD. Conclusion: The UCD can be a good alternative to determine foetal gestational age and wellbeing.