Undercoiling and overcoiling of the umbilical cord are associated with increased risk for adverse perinatal outcome. This concludes Monique de Laat in her PhD-thesis. She therefore advises prenatally measuring the coiling index, this could identify children who are at risk for low birth weight and obstetric problems.
De Laat studied umbilical cords and hospital records of 885 patients in a cross-sectional study design. The umbilical coiling index was determined as the number of complete coils divided by the length of the cord in centimeters, blinded for pregnancy outcome. Obstetric history and pregnancy outcome of each patient were obtained from hospital records, blinded for the umbilical coiling index.
Thesis: “Umbilical coiling”
PhD-advisor: Prof. Dr. G.H.A. Visser
Co-advisor: P.G.J. Nikkels
Co-advisor: A. Franx
15 March 2006 02:30 PM, Academiegebouw, Domplein 29, Utrecht