Correlation between Umbilical Cord Length, Birth Weight and Length of Singleton Deliveries at Term in the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The umbilical cord and placenta have been considered to significantly contribute to the perinatal outcome. However, in our environment attempt at exploring its use has been limited due to sociocultural believes. This study aimed to identify the relationship between the umbilical cord length, newborn length and weight.

Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of three hundred and five pregnant women who consented to participate in the study and had live singleton fetuses at term.

Results: The average birth weight was 3.23 ± 0.50 kilograms and the average baby’s length was 49.75 ± 2.40 centimeters. The average umbilical cord length was 51.50 ± SD 6.67 centimeters’. There was a positive correlation between umbilical cord length and the length of the baby (r = 0.130, p = 0.024); likewise the umbilical cord length and the weight of the baby at birth (r=0.145, p=0.011). A positive statistical relationship was found between the birth weight and the birth length of the babies (r=0.498, p<0.001).

Conclusion: The umbilical cord length contributes significantly to determining the newborn weight and length.Health education on the relevance of proper examination of the placenta and umbilical cord by the health care givers should be instituted.

Key words: Umbilical cord length, Birth weight, Birth length.