Influence of tension of the nuchal cord to the developmental output in a one-year-old child

Objective

Influence of nuchal umbilical cord tension in a newborn on the developmental outcome at the end of the first year.

Methods

and subjects of research: The research is prospective, conducted in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina (Una Sana Canton), for a period of five years. In the research study, we included newborns with a nuchal cord (tight and loose) and newborns without a nuchal cord (control group). We were tracking and recording the Apgar score and the conventional cardiotocography (CTG) findings in both groups. The development of newborns was monitored by the Munich Functional Scale and the development was evaluated at the end of the first year of life.

Results

Statistically, there was a significant presence (P< .001) of Apgar score lower than 7 in newborns with nuchal cord concerning the control group. There were significantly lower Apgar score findings in newborns with a tight nuchal cord compared to ones with a loose nuchal cord (P<.001). Pathological cardiotocographic findings were monitored and the statistical significance in neonates with a nuchal cord concerning the control group. Cardiotocographic data in a neonatal group with tight nuchal cord were statistically significantly lower concerning cardiotocographic data in neonates with a loose nuchal cord (P<.001). Infants at the age of 1 year born with tight nuchal cord were found to have a significant developmental delay compared to those born with loose nuchal cord and control group (P<.001).

Conclusion

The nuchal cord is the risk factor for later developmental deviation. Early diagnosis of the nuchal cord, especially tight cord around the neck (nuchal cord), is important for the prevention of later morbidity.