NUCHAL CORD ENTANGLEMENTS AND GESTATIONAL-AGE

The purpose of this observational study was to investigate the relatio n between nuchal cord entanglements and gestational age. Computerized data from our hospital perinatal database were reviewed between Januar y 1990 and December 1994. Data from all deliveries greater than or equ al to 20 weeks' gestation underwent either a Cochran-Mantel test for t rend or Chi-square testing where appropriate. Of the 13,895 singleton deliveries, the finding of an entanglement increased significantly fro m 5.8% at 20 weeks to 29.0% at 42 weeks' gestation. The frequencies in creased linearly, regardless of whether the entanglement involved a si ngle loop (p < 0.001) or multiple loops (p < 0.002). The risk of an an tepartum stillbirth was not increased in the presence of a nuchal cord entanglement, even after controlling for other risk factors. These no rmative data should serve as a reference for prenatal ultrasound exami nations and for prospective studies intended to evaluate the predictiv e value of reporting this finding prenatally.