Symptoms and Manifestations of Umbilical Cord Abnormalities

Umbilical cord abnormalities are common complications in obstetrics, mainly presenting the following symptoms:

1. Nuchal cord: This is the most common type of umbilical cord abnormality, usually occurring around the fetal neck. A nuchal cord can be detected during prenatal examinations using ultrasound. Mild entanglement may not affect the fetus, but severe entanglement may cause fetal hypoxia, bradycardia, or even death.

2. Abnormal umbilical cord length: A cord shorter than 30cm is considered too short, which may hinder fetal descent during labor, prolong the delivery process, and potentially cause placental abruption and fetal distress. Conversely, a cord longer than 100cm is considered too long; excessive length may lead to nuchal cords, body entanglement, knotting, prolapse, or cord compression.

3. Cord knotting: Knotting of the umbilical cord, either inside or outside, especially true knots, can obstruct blood flow, leading to insufficient oxygen supply to the fetus. In severe cases, fetal intrauterine distress or death may occur.

4. Cord torsion: Spiral twisting of the umbilical cord; when the number of twists exceeds 11 weeks' gestation equivalent, it is referred to as excessive cord torsion.

5. Vasa previa: When the umbilical cord lies in front of the placenta, near or covering the cervix, it is termed vasa previa. This condition may cause fetal bleeding and hypoxia during delivery.