Umbilical coiling index as a predictor of adverse perinatal outcome

Objectives: To determine the association of umbilical coiling index measured postnatally with adverse perinatal outcome Methods: In a prospective study of 600 pregnancies at 37-40 weeks gestation, the umbilical coiling index measured at birth by calculating the number of coils divided by the cord length in cm. The subjects were divided into normocoiled, hypocoiled and hypercoiled groups and were compared with the perinatal outcomes. Results: The mean umbilical coiling index was found to be 0.27+_0.08 coils per cm. Compared with the normocoiled groups, hypocoiled and hypercoiled groups were significantly associated with fetal heart rate abnormalities, meconeum stained liquor, caesarean section rates, instrumental vaginal deliveries and low APGAR score at 5 minutes( P value were = or < 0.001). Low birth weight babies was found to be statistically significantly associated with hypocoiling (P<0.001) but not with hypercoiling (P<0.056). Conclusion: Abnormal umbilical coiling index measured postnatally is associated with several adverse perinatal outcomes.