Umbilical cord prolapse

Summary

One hundred and forty eases of cord prolapse and 25 cases of cord presentation were reported among 39 420 deliveries which occurred at the Riyadh Military Hospital between 1983 and 1990 (l in 239 deliveries). The incidence was higher with malpresentation (breech 8-5 per cent, and transverse lie or compound presentation 5-5 per cent) low birth weight, < 1500 g (12 per cent), macrosomia, > 4000 g, mothers over 35 years of age and highly parous women, para 4. One hundred and forty-five (87-8 per cent) caesarean sections were performed. Seven patients were delivered by forceps or ventouse and eight had normal vaginal deliveries. After 26 weeks of pregnancy, prompt caesarean section is the treatment of choice, when cord prolapse is diagnosed, when the fetus is still alive and when delivery is not imminent.