Abstract

Background: The Umbilical cord is the fetal lifeline and it is a structure that connects the foetus to the placenta. Placenta and umbilical cord acts as a mirror which reflects intrauterine status of foetus. The length of the umbilical cord varies from achordia to 300 cm. This study aims to identify the relationship between the umbilical cord length and birth weight and other parameter such as maternal age, gestational age and gender. More recent research suggests that the length of the cord at birth is influenced by intrauterine fetal activity & therefore correlate with fetal well being. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Anatomy department in collaboration with gynecology department of our hospital on 100 freshly delivered samples of placenta with cord which are obtained from labour room of our Government Hospital. Conclusion: The range of cord length was 28- 106 cm .However maximum were between 40cm to 60 cm in length. The mean length was 53.18 cm. Cord length varies with birth weight and conclude that as cord length shows positive correlation with birth weight (r=0.40).

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