ABSTRACT
The purpose of this observational study was to investigate the relation between nuchal
cord entanglements and gestational age. Computerized data from our hospital perinatal
database were reviewed between January 1990 and December 1994. Data from all deliveries
≥20 weeks' gestation underwent either a Cochran-Mantel test for trend or Chi-square
testing where appropriate. Of the 1 3,895 singleton deliveries, the finding of an
entanglement increased significantly from 5.8% at 20 weeks to 29.0% at 42 weeks' gestation.
The frequencies increased linearly, regardless of whether the entanglement involved
a single loop (p < 0.001) or multiple loops (p < 0.002). The risk of an antepartum
stillbirth was not increased in the presence of a nuchal cord entanglement, even after
controlling for other risk factors. These normative data should serve as a reference
for prenatal ultrasound examinations and for prospective studies intended to evaluate
the predictive value of reporting this finding prenatally.
Keywords
Umbilical cord - nuchal cord entanglement - prenatal diagnosis, stillbirth
