PERINATAL OUTCOME IN CASES WITH OR WITHOUT NUCHAL CORD

Abstract

ABSTRACT:

Objective:

To ascertain the fetal outcome in cases with or without nuchal cord.

Study Design:

Comparative cross sectional study.

Setting:

Department Of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sharif Medical and Dental College Lahore.

Duration of study:

Six months (15^th January 2013 to 15^th July 2013).

Patients and Methods:

A total of sixty cases, 30 with nuchal cord and 30 without nuchal cord were included. It was a non-probability purposive sampling. The labor of these patients was monitored closely by strict partogram and intrapartum non*stress test. The fetal outcome was seen in the form of Apgar score at I minute and 5 minutes.

Results:

The mean age of the women in group A was 24.03 and in group B was 23.97 years. The mean gestational age at delivery in group A 38.65 weeks and group B 38.79 weeks. The results of specific investigations statistically show no significant difference. Twenty patients delivered by normal, 8 by emergency caesarean section and I each by vacuum and mid cavity forceps delivery in group A while in group B, 18 patients delivered by normal, 7 by emergency caesarean section, 3 by vacuum 2 by mid cavity forceps delivery. Birth weight and Apgar score of both groups shows no significance (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:

This study suggests that presence of nuchal cords is a frequent finding, it increases the rate of cesarean section, but it does not effect neonatal outcome in the form of neonatal morbidity and mortality measured by Apgar score and NICU admission.

Key words:

Perinatal outcome. Nuchal cord. Apgar score. Fetal outcome.