Studies on the Morphological Variations of the Human Umbilical Cord

Abstract

Four hundred and twenty-four consecutive umbilical cords of babies delivered at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital were studied alongside some birth variables. This research was to first of all, find whether there were any possible correlations between any pair of variables. Secondly, whether any variant of the cord could have any clinical significance. The umbilical cord measurements were made using a tape measure and the results statistically analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) VERSION 10.0. The range of umbilical cord length was between 23.0 cm to 88.0 cm. The mean cord length was 54.52 ± 10.82 cm. There was a significant positive but low correlation between cord length and foetal weight (r = 0.228, p< 0.01), cord length and placenta weight (r = 0.250, p< 0.01) cord length and placenta thickness (r = 0.118, p< 0.05), cord length and foetal head circumference (r = 0.121, p< 0.05), and cord length with baby’s full length (r = 0.234, p< 0.01). Placenta weight and Birth weight had a moderate significant positive correlation (r = 0.539. p< 0.05). The correlation between maternal age, parity and placenta widest diameter with cord length was non-significant (p> 0.05). The cords were mostly accentrically located on the placentas (87.3%) of the total 424. Non-furcate cords were not significantly different from furcate cords in their mean placenta weight, birth weight, cord length, placenta thickness and placenta widest diameter (p>0.05). The dangers of furcate cords, possible factors influencing the length of the cord, as well as pregnancy outcome of short and long cords were discussed.