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The effect of nuchal cord on perinatal mortality and long-term offspring morbidity

Journal of Perinatology volume 40, pages 439–444 (2020)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate perinatal and long-term cardiovascular and respiratory morbidities of children born with nuchal cord.

Study design

A large population-based cohort analysis of singleton deliveries was conducted. Maternal and birth characteristics, as well as cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity incidence were evaluated. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to compare cumulative hospitalization incidence between groups. Cox regression models were used to control for possible confounders and follow-up length.

Results

243,682 deliveries were included. Of them, 34,332 (14.1%) were diagnosed with nuchal cord. Perinatal mortality rate was comparable between groups (0.5 vs. 0.6%, p = 0.16). Kaplan–Meier survival curves demonstrated no significant differences in cumulative cardiovascular or respiratory morbidity incidence between groups (log rank p = 0.69 and p = 0.10, respectively). Cox regression models reaffirmed a comparable risk for hospitalization between groups (aHR = 0.99 (95% CI 0.85–1.14, p = 0.87) and aHR = 0.97 (95% CI 0.92–1.02, p = 0.28).

Conclusions

Nuchal cord is not associated with higher rate of perinatal mortality nor long-term cardiorespiratory morbidity.

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Acknowledgements

RM wrote the first draft of the paper. No honorarium, grant, or other form of payment was given to anyone to produce the paper. This study was conducted as part of the requirements for graduation from the Medical School of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    Roee Masad, Gil Gutvirtz & Eyal Sheiner

  2. Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    Tamar Wainstock

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  1. Roee Masad
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  2. Gil Gutvirtz
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  3. Tamar Wainstock
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  4. Eyal Sheiner
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Correspondence to Roee Masad.

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Masad, R., Gutvirtz, G., Wainstock, T. et al. The effect of nuchal cord on perinatal mortality and long-term offspring morbidity. J Perinatol 40, 439–444 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-019-0511-x

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