Umbilical Cord Coiling: Sonographic Evaluation & Clinical Significance

Sonographic umbilical cord coiling index in late second trimester is helpful indentifying foetuses at risk for perinatal morbidity & mortality and to plan for proper management of pregnancy. Targeted examination of the umbilical cord in early pregnancy between 22 - 28 weeks of gestation is useful to detect abnormal coiling index & to predict adverse perinatal outcome. Hypocoiling and hypercoiling of cord may be associated with foetal distress, oligohydramnios, preterm delivery,growth retardation, meconiun staining during delivery, foetal heart alterations, low cord ph, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Hypocoiled cord may be associated with trisomy 21.