Fetal distress reflected in umbilical cord features

R. Mohora, D. Hudita, S. M. Stoicescu

Abstract: The management of intrapartum fetal distress is using also the features of umbilical cord. Following progressive in utero hypoxia lead to acidosis and asphyxia by default. Since perinatal asphyxia is approx. 15% of the causes of perinatal morbidity, we intend to study the umbilical cord in infants with fetal distress.The umbilical cord connects the fetus and placenta and its main role is the transport of nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the fetus. Any alteration of the umbilical cord features, such as: length- shorter or longer than normal, structural changes like hematoma, ulcers, varicose veins, teratomas, etc., arteriovenous malformations - one artery, can induce perinatal asphyxia which represents the cause of morbidity and mortality of this period with long term effects. At the same time changes in the appearance of umbilical cord can be clinical indicators of a disease with intrauterine onset: quantity and color of Wharton jelly, macroscopic appearance of the vessel - turgid, flaccid.
DOI:10.18643/gieu.2015.74

Keywords: umbilical cord, fetal distress, term newborn, transition to extrauterine life.