Authors: Burodo Ahmed Tanko, Nnadi Daniel C, Umar Amina Gambo, Ibrahim Rukayya, Ladan Ashiru A, Garba Jamila Abubakar, Rabiu Anas Funtua
Background: Umbilical cord prolapse (UCP) is the presence of a loop of umbilical cord below the presenting part with ruptured membranes which is an obstetric emergency associated with increased fetal morbidity and mortality and also maternal morbidity.
Objectives: The aim was to determine the incidence; risk factors and complications of umbilical cord prolapse.
Materials and Method: This was a cross sectional case study carried out to review all cases of umbilical cord prolapse managed at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto from 1stJanuary, 2006 to 31st December, 2015. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.
Results: There were 48 cases of UCP and 29,743 deliveries. The incidence of UCP was 0.16% of the deliveries. Among the cases, 83.3% had emergency caesarean section. This accounted for 1% of the total 3,982 caesarean section during the study period. Prematurity was the most common identified risk factor and accounted for 20.8% of cases while six patients had transverse lie which account for 12.5%. Twin gestation and breech presentation occurred in 4.2% and 8.3% of cases respectively. There was no risk factor was identified in 37.5%. In 62.5% of cases, the UCP occurred at term. In 45.8% of cases, the babies were between s1.5-2.5kg and 41.7% weighed 2.5kg or more. There were 70.8% live births and 29.2% stillbirths.
Conclusion: The incidence of UCP was 0.16%. Prematurity was the most common identified risk factor and there was prompt and appropriate management of the cases of umblical cord prolapse.
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