A “tight” nuchal cord is defined as one that cannot be slipped over the baby’s head during delivery, and may compress the fetal neck. Third, the nuchal cord can be Type A or Type B: A Type A nuchal cord is “unlocked.” The umbilical end goes under the placental end, and fetal movement can easily undo it.
Table of Contents
What does a tight nuchal cord mean?
A “tight” nuchal cord is defined as one that cannot be slipped over the baby’s head during delivery, and may compress the fetal neck. Third, the nuchal cord can be Type A or Type B: A Type A nuchal cord is “unlocked.” The umbilical end goes under the placental end, and fetal movement can easily undo it.
What causes a tight nuchal cord?
What Causes a Nuchal Cord? The fetal movements your baby makes before they are born is the most common cause of nuchal cords. An extra amount of amniotic fluid, allowing your baby to move around more freely, as well as a longer than average umbilical cord, might also cause your baby to have a nuchal cord.
How common is a tight nuchal cord?
The presence of a tight nuchal cord is not uncommon, occurring in 6.6% of over 200 000 consecutive live births in a multihospital health system.
How often does nuchal cord cause death?
Umbilical cord abnormalities, mainly umbilical cord constriction and coiling, have been shown to be related to 11% of intrauterine fetal deaths within 16 gestational weeks (4). Fetal demise due to nuchal cord entanglement has been reported to occur in the first or second trimester in two case reports (7, 8).
Does nuchal cord have long-term effects?
Nuchal cords are a potential cause for perinatal distress and a rarely significant risk factor for long-term neurodevelopmental consequences in the developing fetus.
What causes nuchal cord death?
A: A tight and persistent nuchal cord can cut off adequate blood flow to the brain and cause brain damage or even death during pregnancy. If the cord is around the neck at delivery, it can tighten as the baby moves down the birth canal.
Can babies dying from the cord around neck?
When an umbilical cord is knotted, kinked, or tangled around the baby’s neck, it can result in a complete loss of oxygen. This can significantly compromise organs, muscles, and brain tissue, resulting in permanent brain damage and even death.
Can a baby get strangled by the umbilical cord?
Conclusion: Although extremely rare, constriction of the umbilical cord by an amniotic band can cause its strangulation followed by a stillbirth even in full-term otherwise healthy fetus.