A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN UMBILICAL CORD COILING INDEX AND NEONATAL OUTCOMES IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER

Abstract

Objective: To explore the correlation between the umbilical cord coiling index (UCI) and neonatal outcomes, including conditions like intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), meconium staining, pre-eclampsia, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 300 singleton pregnancies with gestational ages ≥ 28 weeks. Postnatally, the umbilical cords were examined, and the UCI was calculated by determining the number of coils per centimeter of the cord. Based on the UCI, the cases were classified into three groups: hypocoiled (UCI < 10th percentile), normocoiled (10th–90th percentile), and hypercoiled (UCI > 90th percentile). Neonatal outcomes were then assessed, focusing on IUGR, meconium staining, NICU admission, pre-eclampsia, and mode of delivery.

Results: Hypocoiling (UCI < 10th percentile) was significantly associated with a higher rate of LSCS, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and NICU admissions (p < 0.001). Hypercoiling (UCI > 90th percentile) was more prevalent in cases with IUGR, pre-eclampsia, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Both hypocoiling and hypercoiling were associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, including NICU admissions, suggesting that extremes of UCI, whether low or high, are linked to poorer neonatal outcomes.

Conclusions: The study supports the hypothesis that abnormal UCI (both hypocoiling and hypercoiling) is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. These findings highlight the potential of UCI as a marker for identifying pregnancies at higher risk for complications, particularly when deviations from the normal coiling range are observed