Sonographic assessment umbilical cord risk

Umbilical cord dysfunction may lead to ominous pregnancy outcome. Factors i nvolved include: oligohydramnios, meconium, cord structure, anomalies, posi tion and trauma. Ultrasound may identify risk factors for intrauterine cord failure; some of them will be no more recognizable at birth. The relative weight of these factors that can act separately or in concert in damaging t he fetus, is still unknown. Prenatal sonographic identification of cord fai lure could affect management decision and improve the outcome of pregnancy. Multicentric prospective sonographic studies are needed to answer all thes e questions. The usefulness of ultrasound in prevention of fetal damage sec ondary to umbilical cord failure is still uncertain.