Preliminary Study of Variations/ Anomalies of Umbilical Cord of Term Placenta in a Sri Lankan Population

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the umbilical cord variations/anomalies of term placenta in a Sri Lankan population presenting to a selected centre

Methods: Two hundred and fifty two (252) normally delivered term placentas, collected from Colombo South Teaching Hospital during years 2012/'2013 were dissected and observed for placental attachment of umbilical cord and umbilical vessels.

Results: Majority 81% (204,252) of the placenta had eccentric cord attachment and out of that, 63.2 %( 129/204) had non furcate blood vessel arrangement. Percentage 17.9(45/252) had central attachment while 53.3% (24/45) were furcate. Percentage 0.8(2/252) had marginal attachment with 100% (2/2) furcate and 0.4% (1/252) villamentous. Single umbilical artery was found in 0.8% (2/252) and both were eccentrically attached with single umbilical vein. Percentage 0.4 (1/250) had two umbilical veins with two normal umbilical arteries. Majority had two umbilical arteries and non furcate 59. 6% (149/250) while 1.3(2/2) contained single umbilical artery and non furcate. Conclusions: Majority of umbilical cords had eccentric cord attachment with non furcate variety. Presence of single umbilical artery in Sri Lankan population is comparable with 0.5% -2.5% of Indian studies. Villamentus attachment is rare [0.4% (1/252)] and low compared to western data (0.75'%). As umbilical cord anomalies are known to be associated with other congenital anomalies early diagnosis of umbilical cord anomalies could give an insight to the former.