Incidence of Nuchal Cord in Late Trimester Pregnancy Sonography

It is a prospective study conducted in 360 pregnant patients to identify the presence of nuchal cord during the third trimester of pregnancy sonography. Initially with gray scale ultrasound the dorsum of the fetal neck was identified and tried to look for the presence of umbilical cord around the neck. The findings were confirmed using color doppler sonography. Among 360 cases in 90 cases presented with complete cord around the neck both in gray scale and color doppler.10 cases had incomplete loop and were excluded from the study. Among ninety cases of nuchal cord 56 had single loop nuchal cored and 34 had multiple nuchal cords. Post natally presence of the nuchal cord were confirmed. Identification of the presence of nuchal cord in late trimester sonography is very important to plan the method of delivery and to predict the possible complications. Also it is of great importance for the obstetricians in the management of the multiple gestations and in non vertex presentations like breech and shoulder presentations.