Accurate diagnosis of cases with umbilical hypo-coiled cord: a study at a single perinatal center

Abstract Objectives: To compare whether it is more accurate to diagnose hypo-coiled cords at 20 or 36 weeks’ gestation. Method: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Showa University Hospital. In this study, an antenatal UCI below the 10th percentile was defined as a hypo-coiled cord at 20 and 36 weeks’ gestation. After delivery, a hypo-coiled cord was defined as having a UCI < 0.1. The medical records of all neonates born at Showa University Hospital after 36 weeks’ gestation between 2011 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: From January 2011 to December 2017, 3400 foetuses were born at our hospital after 36 weeks’ gestation and underwent screening at both 20 and 36 weeks’ gestation. The positive predictive value (PPV) at 20 weeks’ gestation was higher than that at 36 weeks’ gestation. After delivery, 65 cases (1.8%) were diagnosed with hypo-coiled cords out of 3400 cases.Conclusion: Since hypo-coiled cords affect the prognosis of newborns, it is important to accurately evaluate the presence of hypo-coil cords before birth. In the present study, ultrasonographic evaluation of hypo-coil cords at 20 weeks’ gestation had a higher detection rate than evaluation at 36 weeks’ gestation.