Morphological Variations Of Umbilical Cord In Human Placenta

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The umbilical cord or Funis forms the connecting link between the fetus and the placenta. Throughumbilical cord the fetal blood flows to and from the placenta providing nutrition, gas exchange, waste removal,endocrine function and immune support to the developing fetus. The umbilical cord extends from the fetalumbilicus to the fetal surface of the placenta. Being organs of vital importance for continuation of pregnancy, theplacenta and umbilical cord have evolved great interest among the Anatomists, Embryologists, Pathologists andObstetricians.Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 695 umbilical cords attached to placentaefrom the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, collected soon after delivery. The morphology of the umbilicalcords attached to placenta were studied. Fresh specimens of umbilical cord were examined for attachment to theplacenta, cord length, diameter, number of vessels, diameter of vessels, coiling and knotted appearance. Neonataldetails within 24 hours after delivery were recorded.Results: Average cord length was 46.04cm (SD 11.8cm) with the shortest cord being 5.8cm and the longest78.50cm. Majority of the umbilical cords (71.94%) had eccentric attachment to the placentae; (139) 20% hadcentral and 53(7.63%) had marginal and 3(0.43%) had velamentous attachments . Occurrence of furcate insertionof umbilical cord vessels into the placenta was 28% and non-furcate insertion was 501(72%). Morphologicalvariations of umbilical cord showed statistically significant association with maternal Diabetes mellitus,Preeclampsia, Antepartum haemorrhage, twin pregnancy and foetal Intra Uterine Growth Retardation.Conclusion: The study observed that, the morphological variations of umbilical cord show significant effects onmaternal and foetal conditions. These quantitative findings may provide baseline information for furtherinvestigations