Umbilical cord coiling index in predicting neonatal outcomes: a single-center cross-sectional study from Vietnam

BACKGROUND: Abnormal umbilical coiling (AUC) is one of the common occurrences of umbilical cord abnormalities leading to poor neonatal outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the association between antenatal umbilical coiling index (aUCI) and perinatal outcomes as well as the risk factors relating to AUC. METHODS: weeks of gestation for aUCI by color Doppler ultrasound. The aUCI was calculated as the reciprocal of the distance between a pair of coils. The aUCI was classified as hypo-, hyper-, and normocoiled. The patients were monitored until birth delivery, and any adverse antenatal complications were noted. In general, AUC increased significantly the risk of FGR and Apgar score at 5 mins < 7 points with odds ratio (OR): 7.63 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.34-23.15) and OR: 8.70 (95%CI: 1.82-41.69). More than 2-fold increased rate of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, cesarean delivery, and birth weight below 2500 grams were also observed. After adjusting for gestational age, gestational hypertension disorders, gestational diabetes mellitus, oligohydramnios/hydramnios were significantly related to the development of AUC with OR: 4.99; 7.92, 4.96; 4.56, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both abnormal umbilical coiling in the form of either hypocoiling or hypercoiling are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Thus, the antenatal umbilical coiling index ought to be detected during routine antenatal care.