What Does It Mean When a Baby Has a Short Umbilical Cord

Short Umbilical Cord

Last updated December. 14, 2018

Approved by: Maulik P. Purohit Medico, MPH

On an boilerplate, the umbilical cord length is betwixt 55 and 60 cm. A Brusk Umbilical String is commonly defined as an umbilical string that measures less than 35 cm in length.

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What are the other Names for this Condition? (Too known as/Synonyms)

• Short String

What is Short Umbilical Cord? (Definition/Background Information)

• The length of the umbilical string is of import, since information technology can impact fetal growth and evolution. The cord length can besides affect the effect of the pregnancy
• On an average, the umbilical cord length is between 55 and threescore cm. A Short Umbilical Cord is usually divers as an umbilical cord that measures less than 35 cm in length
• The placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall. Information technology is a disc shaped reddish brown structure that connects the fetus to the female parent through the umbilical cord
• The umbilical cord contains two umbilical arteries and one umbilical vein, providing a connection betwixt maternal and fetal claret circulation
• The normal function of placenta is to supply nutrients and oxygen to the fetus from the mother's claret and remove wastes from the fetal torso
• Brusque Umbilical Cord has been associated with fetal distress, umbilical string rupture and hemorrhage. Studies have shown that Brusque Umbilical Cord can cause low Apgar scores. Apgar scores are used to appraise the overall health and well-being of a child, immediately after birth
• Short Umbilical Cord requires appropriate treatment for an optimal outcome. The prognosis is dependent upon the severity of the condition and the stage of pregnancy. Nevertheless, a Short Cord is associated with college fetal bloodshed rates
• Brusque Cord may not be entirely prevented. However, some risk factors may exist avoided, such as smoking and booze consumption during pregnancy. Also, maternal diabetes has to be kept nether command, to minimize the take chances

Who gets Short Umbilical Cord? (Age and Sex activity Distribution)

• Curt Umbilical String is a condition that is observed in about 6% of all pregnancies. It may occur in pregnant women of all ages
• Women who are pregnant with both male and female fetuses can be affected
• There is no racial, ethnic, or geographical predilection observed

What are the Risk Factors for Short Umbilical Cord? (Predisposing Factors)

The hazard factors for Brusque Umbilical Cord include:

• Low body mass index (BMI) of female parent
• History of smoking during pregnancy
• History of alcohol consumption during pregnancy
• Gestational diabetes
• Chromosomal abnormalities such as Down's syndrome
• Offset pregnancy
• Female fetus
• Preforming early amniocentesis procedures in pregnant women
• Oligohydramnios (decreased fluid in amniotic sac) and polyhydramnios (excess fluid in amniotic sac)

It is of import to note that having a hazard gene does not mean that ane will get the condition. A chance factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more of import than others.

Also, not having a risk cistron does not mean that an individual will not go the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Curt Umbilical Cord? (Etiology)

• The verbal cause of Short Umbilical Cord is unknown
• This umbilical string abnormality is associated with a higher incidence of meconium staining
• Research is currently being performed to identify the relevant causative factors

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Brusk Umbilical Cord?

The signs and symptoms of Segmental Thinning of Umbilical Cord may include:

• Decreased blood flow to the fetus resulting in fetal distress
• Not-reassuring fetal eye rates

How is Short Umbilical Cord Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Short Umbilical Cord may involve:

• Concrete examination along with an evaluation of one'due south medical history
• The healthcare provider may bank check for any signs of fetal distress (such as non-reassuring fetal heart rate)
• Prenatal ultrasound scan of the developing fetus may reveal Short Umbilical Cord and abnormal biophysical profile
• A careful examination of the placenta by a pathologist after birth of the child, to macroscopically (gross visual exam) and microscopically clarify the placental tissue may help institute a definitive diagnosis

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to make it at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Short Umbilical Cord?

Complications due to Short Umbilical Cord affect both the mother and kid. These include:

• In the mother:
  • Increased incidence of retained placenta
  • Prolonged labor
  • Inversion of the uterus
  • Abruption of placenta causing astringent bleeding (during late pregnancy) affecting the health of both the mother and fetus
• In the infant:
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
  • Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)
  • Placental disruption, affecting the nutrition of the developing fetus
• Umbilical string rupture
• Increased incidence of breech presentation
• Miscarriages and stillbirths

How is Short Umbilical Cord Treated?

In that location is no specific treatment bachelor for Short Umbilical Cord. The following treatment strategies can help improve the outcome and overall wellness of the newborn.

• An operative vaginal delivery may accept to be performed, if the condition is diagnosed during childbirth. Information technology tin help in expediting the process of childbirth. The operative vaginal delivery may exist performed using techniques such as forceps commitment and commitment using vacuum extractor
• If a prenatal diagnosis of the condition has been established, so an elective cesarean department (C-section) delivery may be considered
• A careful and periodic monitoring of the pregnancy is necessary, since the presence of Short Umbilical Cord is considered to be a loftier-adventure pregnancy

The healthcare provider may make up one's mind on the course of activity on a case-by-example footing, analyzing all the health issues that are involved.

How can Short Umbilical Cord be Prevented?

Currently, there are no modifiable risks or definitive methods available to prevent Short Umbilical Cord. However, the following factors may be considered:

• Some studies betoken that not smoking and non consuming alcohol during pregnancy tin exist benign
• If the woman is a known diabetic before pregnancy, then a good control of diabetes using suitable handling measures may help
• If the ultrasound scan indicates an umbilical cord of short length, so careful monitoring of the pregnancy (including the fetal heart charge per unit) is necessary and vital for a successful result

What is the Prognosis of Short Umbilical Cord? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis of Short Umbilical Cord is based on many factors such every bit the evolution of the fetus and overall health status of the mother
• In majority of cases, the prognosis is poor, since multiple complications may develop
• For the above reasons, a Short Umbilical Cord is considered to be a high-run a risk pregnancy requiring careful and shut monitor

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Short Umbilical String:

The following DoveMed website link is a useful resource for additional information:

https://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-related-disorders/

Helpful Peer-Reviewed Medical Articles:

Miller, G. E., Higginbottom, M., & Smith, D. W. (1981). Short umbilical cord: its origin and relevance. Pediatrics, 67(5), 618-621.

Krakowiak, P., Smith, E. Northward., de Bruyn, G., & Lydon-Rochelle, M. T. (2004). Risk factors and outcomes associated with a short umbilical cord. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 103(i), 119-127.

Sørnes, T. (1989). Short umbilical string as a cause of fetal distress. Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 68(7), 609-611.

Rosen, R. H. (1953). The short umbilical cord. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 66(6), 1253-1259.

Grange, D. K., Arya, S., Opitz, J. K., Laxova, R., Herrmann, J., & Gilbert, E. F. (1987). The short umbilical string. Birth defects original article series, 23(1), 191-214.

Bain, C., & Eliot, B. Westward. (1976). Fetal distress in the first phase of labour associated with early on fetal center rate decelerations and a short umbilical cord. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 16(i), 51-56.

Barr, Thou., & Heidelberger, K. P. (1983). Brusque umbilical cord: Crusade or effect of fetal anomalies. In Proc Greenwood Genetic Center (Vol. 2, pp. 100-101).

Collins, J. (1992). The short umbilical cord.American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology,166(1), 268-269.

Reviewed and Approved by a member of the DoveMed Editorial Board
First uploaded: Sept. 25, 2015
Last updated: Dec. 14, 2018

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Source: https://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/short-umbilical-cord/

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