Non coiled umbilical cord

Straight umbilical cord implies, as the name suggests, an umbilical cord with no coils.

Epidemiology

The reported incidence of a straight cord is about 3.7-5% of all pregnancies.

Radiographic features

Ultrasound
  • the entire length of the umbilical cord shows no evidence of coiling

Complications

  • intrauterine death
  • stillbirth
  • fetal anomalies
  • prematurity
  • fetal distress
  • intrapartum heart rate decelerations
  • meconium staining

Treatment and prognosis

Some studies suggest that the presence of non-coiled umbilical cord places the fetus at a higher risk. It also suggests that the structural ability to resist external compressive forces is reduced .

See also