The prognostic value of the nuchal cord prenatal diagnosis

Objective. To verify whether postnatal results for newborns can be improved if the abdominal mode of delivery is used for all cases of umbilical cord loops diagnosed ante partum. Method. We compared the obstetric results for two groups of births: 344 vaginal deliveries in which nuchal cord was diagnosed during the second stage of labour, and 48 cases in which the diagnosis was made with an ultrasound scan ante partum and delivery was by caesarean section (CS). All were singleton term pregnancies with a cephalic presentation, and with no other significant associated pathology. Results. There were no significant obstetric differences between the group with a prenatal diagnosis of umbilical cord loop who delivered by CS and the group with a post partum diagnosis of umbilical cord loop who delivered vaginally. Conclusion. We concluded that ante partum ultrasound diagnosis of nuchal cord is not in itself an indication for CS delivery.