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International Journal of Women's Health 2018Umbilical cord prolapse (UCP) is an uncommon obstetric emergency that can have significant neonatal morbidity and/or mortality. It is diagnosed by seeing/palpating the... (Review)
Review
Umbilical cord prolapse (UCP) is an uncommon obstetric emergency that can have significant neonatal morbidity and/or mortality. It is diagnosed by seeing/palpating the prolapsed cord outside or within the vagina in addition to abnormal fetal heart rate patterns. Women at higher risk of UCP include multiparas with malpresentation. Other risk factors include polyhydramnios and multiple pregnancies. Iatrogenic UCP (up to 50% of cases) can occur in procedures such as amniotomy, fetal blood sampling, and insertion of a cervical ripening balloon. The perinatal outcome largely depends on the location where the prolapse occurred and the gestational age/birthweight of the fetus. When UCP is diagnosed, delivery should be expedited. Usually, cesarean section is the delivery mode of choice, but vaginal/instrumental delivery could be tried if deemed quicker, particularly in the second stage of labor. Diagnosis-to-delivery interval should ideally be less than 30 minutes; however, if it is expected to be lengthy, measures to relieve cord compression should be attempted. Manual elevation of the presenting part and Vago's method (bladder filling) are the most commonly used maneuvers. Care should be given not to cause cord spasm with excessive manipulation. Simulation training has been shown to improve/maintain all aspects of management and documentation. Prompt diagnosis and interventions and the positive impact of neonatal management have significantly improved the neonatal outcome.
PubMed: 30174462
DOI: 10.2147/IJWH.S130879 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Dec 2014Manual rotation is commonly performed to increase the chances of normal vaginal delivery and is perceived to be safe. Manual rotation has the potential to prevent... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Manual rotation is commonly performed to increase the chances of normal vaginal delivery and is perceived to be safe. Manual rotation has the potential to prevent operative delivery and caesarean section, and reduce obstetric and neonatal complications.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effect of prophylactic manual rotation for women with malposition in labour on mode of delivery, and maternal and neonatal outcomes.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 October 2014), the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), ClinicalTrials.gov, Current Controlled Trials and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (all searched 23 February 2014), previous reviews and, references of retrieved studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised, quasi-randomised or cluster-randomised clinical trials comparing prophylactic manual rotation in labour for fetal malposition versus expectant management, augmentation of labour or operative delivery. We defined prophylactic manual rotation as rotation performed without immediate assisted delivery.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed study eligibility and quality, and extracted data.
MAIN RESULTS
We included only one small pilot study (involving 30 women). The study, which we considered to be at low risk of bias, was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital in Australia, and involved women with cephalic, singleton pregnancies. The primary outcome was operative delivery (instrumental delivery or caesarean section).In the manual rotation group, 13/15 women went on to have an instrumental delivery or caesarean section, whereas in the control group, 12/15 women had an operative delivery. The estimated risk ratio was 1.08 (95% confidence interval 0.79 to 1.49). There were no maternal or fetal mortalities in either groupThere were no clear differences for any of the secondary maternal or neonatal outcomes reported (e.g. perineal trauma, analgesia use duration of labour).In terms of adverse events, there were no reported cases of umbilical cord prolapse or cervical laceration and a single case of a non-reassuring or pathological cardiotocograph during the procedure.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Currently, there is insufficient evidence to determine the efficacy of prophylactic manual rotation early in the second stage of labour for prevention of operative delivery. One additional study is ongoing. Further appropriately designed trials are required to determine the efficacy of manual rotation.
Topics: Adult; Analgesia, Obstetrical; Cesarean Section; Extraction, Obstetrical; Female; Humans; Labor Presentation; Obstetric Labor Complications; Perineum; Pilot Projects; Pregnancy; Version, Fetal
PubMed: 25532081
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009298.pub2 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2022Umbilical cord prolapse can be a life-threatening obstetrical event involving the fetus due to sudden oxygenated blood flow obstruction. These types of events most often...
Umbilical cord prolapse can be a life-threatening obstetrical event involving the fetus due to sudden oxygenated blood flow obstruction. These types of events most often happen in labor and are associated with obstetric maneuvers. Rarely, a clinical examination can diagnose the condition, but the situation is usually detected secondary to an abnormal cardiotocography trace. We present several clinical cases where a CTG trace was used to infer umbilical cord prolapse.
PubMed: 36428904
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12112845 -
Birth Defects Research Apr 2019Recent advances have now made it possible to speak of gastroschisis narrowly in morphogenetic terms invoking the Rittler-Beaudoin (R-B) model. This proceeds from the... (Review)
Review
Recent advances have now made it possible to speak of gastroschisis narrowly in morphogenetic terms invoking the Rittler-Beaudoin (R-B) model. This proceeds from the appreciation of gastroschisis as a congenital intestinal herniation (without cover or liver) within the primordial umbilical ring, mostly to the right side of a normally formed umbilical cord. Presently, it is unresolved whether this visceral prolapse represents failure of ring closure before return of the physiological hernia into the abdomen or rupture of the delicate amniotic/peritoneal membrane at the ring's edge to the right of the cord. Animal observations and experiments will be required to address this question effectively. If gastroschisis is, in fact, a primary malformation with the primordial umbilical ring as the developmental field involved, then homology implies potential gastroschisis in all amniotes with corresponding nourishment from yolk sac (aka omphalomesenteric) vessels going into the embryo and excretory products out via the ancient umbilical connection. It also implies homology of corresponding morphogenetic signal transduction cascades. We review the history of gastroschisis, its presumed pathogenesis, and the developmental biology of the amniotic umbilical ring from this perspective. Therefore, based on the animal and human evidence to date, we propose that gastroschisis is a primary midline malformation that involves the umbilical canal from amniotic to peritoneal space and its primordial umbilical ring, either through nonclosure or rupture of the membrane covering the area, mostly to the right, between the cord and the edge of the ring.
Topics: Abdominal Wall; Biological Evolution; Developmental Biology; Embryonic Development; Gastroschisis; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Umbilical Cord
PubMed: 30816021
DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1481 -
Journal of Neonatal Surgery 2016Hernia of umbilical cord is a well-known entity which presents with herniation of small bowel into the proximal part of umbilical cord. It has very good prognosis after... (Review)
Review
Hernia of umbilical cord is a well-known entity which presents with herniation of small bowel into the proximal part of umbilical cord. It has very good prognosis after surgical repair. Occasionally, it can have distinct presentations and varied malformations at the umbilicus which have bearing on the course of treatment and final outcome. Herein, we describe various presentations and malformations associated with hernia of umbilical cord. Embryological extrapolation is attempted for the malformations at umbilicus.
PubMed: 27896161
DOI: 10.21699/jns.v5i4.400 -
International Journal of Women's Health 2023Amniotic fluid volumes are tightly regulated, and amniotic fluid derangement can indicate maternal complications or fetal abnormalities. Ultrasound estimate of amniotic... (Review)
Review
Amniotic fluid volumes are tightly regulated, and amniotic fluid derangement can indicate maternal complications or fetal abnormalities. Ultrasound estimate of amniotic fluid provides a tool to evaluate the maternal-fetal-placental interface in real-time. Oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios are associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Oligohydramnios is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes including cesarean delivery, operative vaginal delivery, induction of labor, postpartum hemorrhage, small for gestational age neonate, intrauterine demise, neonatal death, NICU admission, and APGAR less than 7 at. 5 minutes of life Polyhydramnios is associated with adverse outcomes including cesarean delivery, induction of labor, placental abruption, shoulder dystocia, cord prolapse, postpartum hemorrhage, intrauterine fetal demise, NICU admission, neonatal death, APGAR less than 7 at 5 minutes of life, large for gestational age neonate, and respiratory distress syndrome. Therefore, Amniotic fluid should be evaluated when maternal or fetal well-being is in question.
PubMed: 36756186
DOI: 10.2147/IJWH.S378020 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Jun 2023Rapid delivery is important in cases of umbilical cord prolapse to prevent hypoxic injury to the fetus/neonate. However, the optimal decision-to-delivery interval...
BACKGROUND
Rapid delivery is important in cases of umbilical cord prolapse to prevent hypoxic injury to the fetus/neonate. However, the optimal decision-to-delivery interval remains controversial.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate the association between the decision-to-delivery interval in women with umbilical cord prolapse, stratified by fetal heart rate pattern at diagnosis, and neonatal outcome.
STUDY DESIGN
The database of a tertiary medical center was retrospectively searched for all cases of intrapartum cord prolapse between 2008 and 2021. The cohort was divided into three groups according to findings on the fetal heart tracing at diagnosis: 1) bradycardia; 2) decelerations without bradycardia; and 3) reassuring heart rate. The primary outcome measure was fetal acidosis. The correlation between cord blood indices and decision-to-delivery interval was analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.
RESULTS
Of the total 103,917 deliveries performed during the study period, 130 (0.13%) were complicated by intrapartum umbilical cord prolapse. Division by fetal heart tracing yielded 22 women (16.92%) in group 1, 41 (31.53%) in group 2, and 67 (51.53%) in group 3. The median decision-to-delivery interval was 11.0 min (IQR 9.0-15.0); the interval was more than 20 min in 4 cases. The median cord arterial blood pH was 7.28 (IQR 7.24-7.32); pH was less than 7.2 in 4 neonates. There was no correlation of cord arterial pH with decision-to-delivery interval (Spearman's Ρ = - 0.113; Ρ = 0.368) or with fetal heart rate pattern (Spearman's Ρ = .425; Ρ = .079, Ρ = - .205; Ρ = .336, Ρ = - .324; Ρ = .122 for groups 1-3, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Intrapartum umbilical cord prolapse is a relatively rare obstetric emergency with an overall favorable neonatal outcome if managed in a timely manner, regardless of the immediately preceding fetal heart rate. In a clinical setting which includes a high obstetric volume and a rapid, protocol-based, response, there is apparently no significant correlation between decision-to-delivery interval and cord arterial cord pH.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Bradycardia; Fetal Diseases; Umbilical Cord; Fetal Blood; Prolapse
PubMed: 37349738
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05788-y -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Jan 2021Umbilical cord prolapse is a major obstetric emergency associated with significant perinatal complications. However, there is no consensus on the optimal...
INTRODUCTION
Umbilical cord prolapse is a major obstetric emergency associated with significant perinatal complications. However, there is no consensus on the optimal decision-to-delivery interval, as many previous studies have shown poor correlation between the interval and umbilical cord arterial blood gas or perinatal outcomes. We aim to investigate whether bradycardia-to-delivery or decision-to-delivery interval was related to poor cord arterial pH or adverse perinatal outcome in umbilical cord prolapse.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This was a retrospective study conducted at a university tertiary obstetric unit in Hong Kong. All women with singleton pregnancy complicated by cord prolapse during labor between 1995 and 2018 were included. Women were categorized into three groups. Group 1: persistent bradycardia; Group 2: any type of decelerations without bradycardia; and Group 3: normal fetal heart rate. The main outcome was cord arterial blood gas results of the newborns in different groups. Maternal demographic data and perinatal outcomes were reviewed. Correlation analysis between cord arterial blood gas result and time intervals including bradycardia-to-delivery, deceleration-to-delivery, and decision-to-delivery were performed for the different groups with Spearman test.
RESULTS
There were 34, 30, and 50 women in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Cord arterial pH and base excess did not correlate with decision-to-delivery interval in any of the groups, but they were inversely correlated with bradycardia-to-delivery interval in Group 1 (Spearman's ρ = -.349; P = .043 and Spearman's ρ = -.558; P = .001, respectively). The cord arterial pH drops at 0.009 per minute with bradycardia-to-delivery interval in Group 1 (95% CI 0.0180-0.0003). The risk of significant acidosis (pH < 7) was 80% when bradycardia-to-delivery interval was >20 minutes, and 17.2% when the interval was <20 minutes.
CONCLUSIONS
There is significant correlation between bradycardia-to-delivery interval and cord arterial pH in umbilical cord prolapse with fetal bradycardia but not in cases with decelerations or normal heart rate. The drop of cord arterial pH is rapid and urgent delivery is essential in such situations.
Topics: Adult; Blood Gas Analysis; Bradycardia; Female; Fetal Diseases; Hong Kong; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Infant, Newborn; Obstetric Labor Complications; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Prolapse; Retrospective Studies; Umbilical Cord
PubMed: 32862427
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13985 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2017Fetal sex plays an important role in modifying the course and complications related to pregnancy and may also have an impact on maternal health and well-being both... (Review)
Review
Fetal sex plays an important role in modifying the course and complications related to pregnancy and may also have an impact on maternal health and well-being both during and after pregnancy. The goal of this article is to review and summarize the findings from published research on physiologic and pathologic changes that may be affected by fetal sex and the effect of these changes on the maternal and obstetrical outcomes. This will help create awareness that fetal sex is not just a random chance event but an interactive process between the mother, the placenta, and the fetus. The reported effects of male sex on the course of pregnancy and delivery include higher incidence of preterm labor in singletons and twins, failure of progression in labor, true umbilical cord knots, cord prolapse, nuchal cord, higher cesarean section rate, higher heart rate variability with increased frequency, and duration of decelerations without acidemia and increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus through the poor beta cells function. Similarly, female fetal sex has been reported to modify pregnancy and delivery outcomes including altered fetal cardiac hemodynamics, increased hypertensive diseases of pregnancy, higher vulnerability of developing type 2 DM after pregnancy possibly because of influences on increased maternal insulin resistance. Placental function is also influenced by fetal sex. Vitamin D metabolism in the placenta varies by fetal sex; and the placenta of a female fetus is more responsive to the relaxing action of magnesium sulfate. Male and female feto-placental units also vary in their responses to environmental toxin exposure. The association of fetal sex with stillbirths is controversial with many studies reporting higher risk of stillbirth in male fetuses; although some smaller and limited studies have reported more stillbirths with female fetus pregnancies. Maternal status such as BMI may in turn also affect the fetus and the placenta in a sex-specific manner. There is probably a sex-specific maternal-placental-fetal interaction that has significant biological implications of which the mechanisms may be genetic, epigenetic, or hormonal. Determination of fetal sex may therefore be an important consideration in management of pregnancy and childbirth.
PubMed: 28674684
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2017.00144 -
Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine Aug 2021Neonatal Encephalopathy (NE) is a neurologic syndrome in term and near-term infants who have depressed consciousness, difficulty initiating and maintaining respiration,... (Review)
Review
Neonatal Encephalopathy (NE) is a neurologic syndrome in term and near-term infants who have depressed consciousness, difficulty initiating and maintaining respiration, and often abnormal tone, reflexes and neonatal seizures in varying combinations. Moderate/severe NE affects 0.5-3/1000 live births in high-income countries, more in low- and middle-income countries, and carries high risk of mortality or disability, including cerebral palsy. Reduced blood flow and/or oxygenation around the time of birth, as with ruptured uterus, placental abruption or umbilical cord prolapse can cause NE. This subset of NE, with accompanying low Apgar scores and acidemia, is termed Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy. Other causes of NE that can present similarly, include infections, inflammation, toxins, metabolic disease, stroke, placental disease, and genetic disorders. Aberrant fetal growth and congenital anomalies are strongly associated with NE, suggesting a major role for maldevelopment. As new tools for differential diagnosis emerge, their application for prevention, individualized treatment and prognostication will require further systematic studies of etiology of NE.
Topics: Acidosis; Asphyxia Neonatorum; Female; Humans; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Placenta; Pregnancy; Seizures
PubMed: 34305025
DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2021.101265