The Significance of True Knot of the Umbilical Cord in Long-Term Offspring Neurological Health
1
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
2
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
3
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Mt. Scopus Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(1), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10010123
Submission received: 21 October 2020
/
Revised: 26 November 2020
/
Accepted: 29 December 2020
/
Published: 31 December 2020
(This article belongs to the Section Obstetrics & Gynecology)
Abstract
:We aimed to study both the short- and long-term neurological implications in offspring born with confirmed knotting of the umbilical cord—“true knot of cord”. In this population based cohort study, a comparison of perinatal outcome and long-term neurological hospitalizations was performed on the basis of presence or absence of true knot of cord. A Kaplan–Meier survival curve was constructed to compare the cumulative incidence of neurological hospitalizations between the study groups. Multivariable regression models were used to assess the independent association between true knot of cord, perinatal mortality and long term neurological related hospitalizations, while controlling for potential confounders. The study included 243,639 newborns, of them 1.1% (n = 2606) were diagnosed with true knot of the umbilical cord. Higher rates of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) were noted in the exposed group, a finding which remained significant in the multivariable generalized estimation equation, while controlling for confounders. The cumulative incidences of neurological hospitalizations over time were comparable between the groups. The Cox regression confirmed a lack of association between true knot of cord and total long term neurological related hospitalizations. While presence of true knot of the umbilical cord is associated with higher IUFD rates, in our population, however, its presence does not appear to impact the long term neurological health of exposed offspring.
1. Introduction
Knotting of the umbilical cord—“true knot of cord”—is a rather rare event (about 1% of term deliveries) [1] and a challenging antepartum diagnosis [2]. Factors predisposing the formation of cord knots include polyhydramnios and multi-parity (due to uterine laxity), as well as diabetes and preterm delivery, all of which enable exaggerated fetal movements [3,4,5]. Other factors that have been associated with true knots are male fetuses and long cords, probably due to the fact that these two often coexist [4,6,7]. The pathophysiology of knotting of the cord is probably a combination of uterine laxity, exaggerated fetal movement and increased amount of amniotic fluid relative to fetal size.
The exact timing of formation of these cord knots is a matter of debate—some argue that knotting of the umbilical cord takes place early in the antenatal course during the late first trimester due to increased amniotic fluid volume/fetal size ratio, while others think that this event mainly takes place during labor [8]. Attempts to diagnose this condition antepartum have been disappointing [2], even with the latest advancements in Doppler sonography, and most cases are recognized only postpartum [9].
The significance of true cord knot is controversial; while several studies show an association with devastating perinatal outcomes (such as intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD), meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF), and low Apgar scores) [4,10,11,12], others have failed to establish any clinical significance [13,14]. Some studies link true cord knots to low birth weight [15], potentially resulting from chronic intrauterine hypoxia [16], while others show no such association [11]. This might be explained by the level of tightness of the knot, also affected by the protection of Wharton’s jelly [17].
Although immediate obstetrical outcomes related to cord knots have been extensively studied, much less is known regarding its long term significance. Our work aimed to shed light on the potential long term neurological impact of true cord knots in exposed offspring.
2. Experimental Section
This was a population based retrospective cohort study conducted at the Soroka University Medical Center (SUMC) between the years 1991–2014. SUMC is a sole tertiary medical center located in the Negev region of Israel, which spreads over 60% of Israel’s territory with a population of 730,000 inhabitants in 2017 (and constantly increasing) [18].
Currently, SUMC providing tertiary medical services to about 1,190,000 individuals (composing around 14% of Israel population). The study was approved by the institutional review board (SUMC IRB) and is based on nonselective population data.
The Bedouin Arabs of the Negev are a Muslim society [19]. Bedouin culture places great importance on family and high fertility is central in this society [20]. Thus, multiparity is common [21]. The available prenatal diagnostic services are underused by this population, possibly owing to religious restrictions [22,23], distrust of conventional medical care providers and facilities, geographical distance to healthcare services including available prenatal care services, and patriarchal restriction of female autonomy [19,24].
The primary exposure was presence of true knot of cord, as recorded postpartum by the midwife attending the delivery, in the computerized as well as paper perinatal records which are constantly being revised by professional hospital secretaries for error. The outcome measures included immediate obstetrical outcomes as well as any neurological related hospitalization of the offspring up to 18 years of age, as evident by any neurological diagnosis mentioned in the patients files upon admission to SUMC (for any reason). This was defined as having one diagnosis or more from a pre-defined list of ICD-9 neurological codes detailed in the Appendix A (Table A1). Multiple gestations and congenital malformations cases were excluded from all analyses. If a cord description was missing from the record, it was excluded from the analysis. Follow up time was defined as time to an event or censoring. An event was defined as hospitalization with a neurological diagnosis, including all the non-neurological admissions in which a neurological diagnosis (chronic or acute), was designated for the offspring. Censoring occurred either as death during any hospitalization (other than neurological related), end of study period (January 2014), or when the child reached 18 years of age (calculated according to date of birth). Only the first admission with a neurological related diagnosis for each child was included in the analyses.
Data were collected from two databases that were cross-linked and merged: the computerized hospitalization database of SUMC (“Demog-ICD9”), and the computerized perinatal database of the SUMC obstetrics and gynecology department. The Demog-ICD9 database includes demographic information and ICD-9 codes for all medical diagnoses made during hospitalizations at SUMC. The perinatal database consists of information recorded immediately following delivery by an obstetrician or a midwife. Experienced medical secretaries routinely review the information prior to entering it into the database to insure its maximal completeness and accuracy. Furthermore, the perinatal database was regularly tested and validated by the Department of Epidemiology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. Coding is performed after assessing medical prenatal care records as well as routine hospital documents.
Screening for neurological morbidity in the hospital setting is done in the Institute for Child Development which provides diagnostic services, treatment, and follow up, for children with developmental disorders up to age 6 years. The Institute for Child Development has close ties with other ambulatory services and as a consequence, even though the Institute for Child Development’s diagnoses are not part of the SUMC hospitalization database, they are often presented as background diagnoses of the child upon hospitalization. Early assessment of developmental difficulties and disorders occur in Israel routinely at community. If additional evaluation is needed, the children and their families are referred to Child and Family Developmental Centers, where the child is been evaluated. When a child previously diagnosed in a community clinic is being admitted to the hospital, his previous diagnoses are usually exported to the SUMC data base. Additionally, the community clinic and SUMC share the same online interface, which facilitates the process of exporting diagnoses upon admission [25].
Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS package, 23rd edition (IBM/SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). Differences in categorical data were assessed by chi-square for general association. T-test was used for comparison of continuous variables with normal distribution. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to compare the cumulative incidence of neurological related hospitalizations over time, up to 18 years of age. A multivariable generalized estimation equation model was used to study the association between true knot of the cord and perinatal mortality. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to assess a possible independent association between true knot of cord and long term neurological related hospitalizations of the offspring. Both multivariable models adjusted for potential confounding variables and clinically relevant characteristics. These included: gestational age, small for gestational age (SGA, <5th percentile of birthweight according to gestational age and gender), ethnicity, smoking status, maternal diabetes and hypertension. A p value of < 0.05 (two sided) was considered statistically significant.
3. Results, Figures and Tables
Results
During the study period, 243,639 newborns met the inclusion criteria. Of them, 1.1% (n = 2606) were diagnosed with confirmed true knot of the umbilical cord. Maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes in both groups are shown in Table 1. Parturient with true knot of cord were significantly more likely to be multiparous, suffer from hypertension, diabetes, undergo labor induction, and deliver preterm (<37 0/7 weeks’ gestation). Deliveries were more likely to involve meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF), and to end with cesarean delivery. Newborns in the exposed group exhibited higher rates of low (<7) Apgar scores, SGA infants, and IUFD.
In the multivariate generalized estimating equation models an independent and significant association was found between presence of a true cord knot and IUFD, while adjusting for ethnicity, smoking status, maternal diabetes, maternal hypertension and offspring date of birth (adjusted odds ratio 3.606; 95% CI 2.685–4.841, p < 0.001; Table 2).
For the long-term neurological morbidity analyses, perinatal mortality cases were excluded, leaving 242,342 newborns, 1.1% (2558) of which were exposed. During the 22 year follow up period (up to the age of 18), total neurological hospitalization rates were comparable between the groups (3.7% in the exposed group and 3.1% in the comparison group, p = 0.078; Table 3) as were the cumulative incidences of neurological hospitalizations over time (log rank p = 0.12; Figure 1). Attention deficit disorders associated with hospitalizations were slightly more common in the exposed group (0.16% vs. 0.06% in controls, p = 0.041).
The Cox regression model confirmed a lack of association between true knot of cord and total long term neurological related hospitalizations (adjusted HR = 1.236, 95% CI 0.728–2.1, p = 0.432; Table 4), as well as specifically for attention deficit disorders (adjusted HR 2.6, 95% CI 0.96–7.04, p = 0.06). The Cox model adjusted for diabetes, hypertensive disorders, maternal age and offspring date of birth. In a sensitivity analysis, the groups were stratified according to gestational age at delivery into term deliveries (37.0 weeks or more) and preterm deliveries (less than 37.0 weeks). The results remained similar (adjusted HR = 1.13, 95% CI 0.91–1.41, p = 0.261 for term deliveries and adjusted HR = 1.27, 95% CI 0.75–2.16, p = 0.365 for preterm deliveries).
4. Discussion
In this large retrospective cohort study with a long follow up period, we found increased rates of adverse obstetrical outcomes in pregnancies associated with true knot of cord, and specifically with intra-uterine fetal demise, as well as low Apgar scores, preterm deliveries, cesarean deliveries, and meconium stained amniotic fluid. However, in the long term perspective, no association was found between true knot of cord and long term adverse neurological outcome (involving hospitalization) in the offspring, up to 18 years of age.
The increased rates of pretem delivery (PTD), cesarean delivery (CD), and low Apgar scores can potentially be explained by the association of true cord knots with non-reassuring fetal heart rate (NRFHR) and MSAF, thus predisposing these deliveries to iatrogenic interventions resulting in preterm deliveries, cesarean delivery [4,26] and low Apgar scores [27].
In addition, MSAF, polyhydramnios, true knot of cord and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were all found to associated with IUFD [12], which can explain the significantly increased rate of IUFD in the exposed group. The association of true cord knots with IUFD appears to be significant and independent in the regression model, which was meticulously controlled for multiple confounders. In light of the severity of the immediate adverse outcomes reinforced by our study, it appears that increased antenatal surveillance is appropriate, in cases where a true knot of cord is diagnosed antenatally. It may also be appropriate to screen for it in high risk populations, if a reliable screening method was available.
In contrast to the clear adverse impact of true knot exposure on perinatal outcome, our data conformed a lack of association between true cord knots and long-term neurological morbidity (associated with hospitalizations) in the offspring. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have previously focused on the long-term impact of true cord knots. We hypothesized that fetuses exposed to true knot of cord may have suffered some degree of hypoxemia during the pregnancy or labor process thus predisposing them to long term adverse neurological consequences. However, the results of this work suggest otherwise. True knot of cord may act in a severity dependent manner, meaning that the damage caused by the presence of the cord knot depends on the degree of venous flow obstruction caused by it, in a way that a tight knot may cause acute hypoxia, leading to immediate adverse outcome like IUFD; while a looser knot may result in chronic mild hypoxia and a less devastating outcome. In this manner, some or even most fetuses with knots might not be effected at all.
Several weaknesses of the study must be acknowledged:
- Although several confounders were controlled for and an independent association was found with IUFD, it is possible due to the retrospective nature of the study, that some confounders were not accounted for.
- Most childhood neurological morbidities, especially on the “lighter” side of the spectrum, are cared for in an ambulatory setting and were not accounted for in this long-term analysis. This can lead to under reporting of some diagnosis due to the fact that some diagnosed children are not hospitalized. Furthermore, for several of the outcomes (like autistic spectrum disorders), diagnosis typically only comes through specialized screening, which is a potential for selection bias (of children who suffer from the condition but were not screened for it). Nevertheless, some of the conditions included in the study are significant morbidities, and therefore are likely to necessitate hospitalization at some point. There is a possibility that the study groups were underpowered to detect neurological-related hospitalizations in the offspring.
- Hospitalization at a different, distant, medical center, although unlikely, is possible. SUMC is the only tertiary center in the Negev region, it is reasonable to assume that this is the only place for children to be hospitalized in case of morbidity; however, there can be no guarantee of that. Therefore, ascertainment bias potentially exists. There seems to be no reason, however, for either of those phenomenon to be more common in either of the compared groups.
- It was assumed that children that did not visit our hospital were healthy (which might be a biased assumption). This possibility as well is probably just as likely in both the exposed and unexposed groups.
- A heterogeneous group of neurological outcomes was used rather than a specific neurological diagnosis. The purpose of this work was to search for an association between different groups of neurological morbidities and true knot of cord upon birth. We did not look for specific diagnoses since no specific associations were mentioned in the literature nor were part of our hypothesis. Additionally, these types of diagnoses are quite rare and looking for specific diagnoses (rather than groups of diagnoses) would have diminished the power of our results.
To conclude, the results of this large population based study with a long follow up period contribute some knowledge to the understating of the significance of true knot of cord. Although associated with elevated rates of IUFD, in our population, however, no severe long term neurological impact was noted.
Author Contributions
Conceptualization, E.S. and Y.L.; methodology, E.S.; software, T.W.; validation, E.S., T.W., A.W.; formal analysis, T.W.; investigation, E.S., T.W., A.W.; resources, E.S., T.W., A.W.; data curation, E.S., T.W., A.W.; writing—original draft preparation, Y.L; writing—review and editing, E.S, T.W, A.W.; visualization, Y.L., E.S., T.W., A.W.; supervision, E.S.; project administration, E.S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding
This research received no external funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
Helsinky approval number 0438-15-SOR.
Informed Consent Statement
No informed consent was used in this study since it is a retrospective cohort study which is based on a computerized data base in which the data was de-identified.
Data Availability Statement
According to the local Helsinky guidelines data cannot be provided outside of hospital.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Appendix A
ICD-9 codes for neurologic diagnosis.
Table A1.
Supplement A-Table—List of Neurological Diagnoses.
| Group | Subgroup | Code | Diagnosis Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neurology | Autistic spectrum disorders | 2990 | Autistic Disorder |
| 2990 | Infantile Autism | ||
| 29,900 | Autistic Disorder, Current or Active State | ||
| 29,901 | Autistic Disorder, Residual State | ||
| 29,910 | Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Current or Active State | ||
| 2998 | Other Specified Pervasive Developmental Disorders | ||
| 29,981 | Other Specified Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Residula State | ||
| 29,990 | Unspecif. Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Current or Active State | ||
| Eating disorders | 3071 | Anorexia Nervosa | |
| 3075 | Other and Unspecified Disorders of Eating | ||
| 30,750 | Eating Disorder, Unspecified | ||
| 30,751 | Bulimia Nervosa | ||
| 30,753 | Rumination Disorder | ||
| 30,759 | Other Disorders of Eating | ||
| V691 | Inappropriate Diet & Eating Habits | ||
| Sleeping disorders | 3073 | Stereotypic Movement Disorder | |
| 30,746 | Sleep Arousal Disorder | ||
| 30,746 | Somnambulism or Night Terrors | ||
| 30,747 | Other Dysfunctions of Sleep Stages or Arousal from Sleep | ||
| 32,727 | Central Sleep Apnea in Conditions Classified Elsewhere | ||
| 32,730 | Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder, Unspecified | ||
| 32,732 | Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder, Advanced Sleep Phase Type | ||
| 34,700 | Narcolepsy without Cataplexy | ||
| 34,701 | Narcolepsy with Cataplexy | ||
| 7805 | Sleep Disturbances | ||
| 78,050 | Unspecified Sleep Disturbance | ||
| 78,051 | Insomnia with Sleep Apnea | ||
| 78,051 | Insomnia with Sleep Apnea, Unspecified | ||
| 78,052 | Insomnia, Unspecified | ||
| 78,052 | Other Insomnia | ||
| 78,054 | Hypersomnia, Unspecified | ||
| 78,056 | Dysfunctions Associated with Sleep Stages or Arousal from Sleep | ||
| 78,059 | Other Sleep Disturbances | ||
| V694 | Lack of Adequate Sleep | ||
| Movement disorders | 3331 | Essential and Other Specified Forms of Tremor | |
| 3332 | Myoclonus | ||
| 3335 | Other Choreas | ||
| 3336 | Genetic Torsion Dystonia | ||
| 3336 | Idiopathic Torsion Dystonia | ||
| 33,390 | Unsp. Extrapyramidal Disease + Abnormal Movement Disorder | ||
| 33,399 | Other Extrapyramidal Diseases and Abnormal Movement Disorders | ||
| 3343 | Other Cerebellar Ataxia | ||
| Epilepsy | 3450 | Generalized Nonconvulsive Epilepsy | |
| 34,500 | Generalized Nonconvulsive Epilepsy without Intractable Epilepsy | ||
| 34,501 | Generalized Nonconvulsive Epilepsy with Intractable Epilepsy | ||
| 34,510 | Generalized Convulsive Epilepsy without Intractable Epilepsy | ||
| 34,511 | Generalized Convulsive Epilepsy with Intractable Epilepsy | ||
| 3452 | Petit Mal Status, Epileptic | ||
| 3453 | Grand Mal Status, Epileptic | ||
| 34,540 | Partial Epilepsy + Impairment of Consciousness without Intractable Epilepsy | ||
| 3455 | Partial Epilepsy, without Impairment of Consciousness | ||
| 34,550 | Partial Epilepsy without Impairment of Consciousness without Intr Actabel Epilepsy | ||
| 3456 | Infantile Spasms | ||
| 34,560 | Infantile Spasms without Intractable Epilepsy | ||
| 3459 | Epilepsy, Unspecified | ||
| 34,590 | Epilepsy, Nusp. without Intractabel Epilepsy | ||
| 34,590 | Epilepsy, Unsp. without Intractable Epilepsy | ||
| 34,591 | Epilepsy Unsp. With Intractable Epilepsy | ||
| 78,039 | Other Convulsions | ||
| 7810 | Abnormal Involuntary Movements | ||
| 7812 | Abnormality of Gait | ||
| 7813 | Lack of Coordination | ||
| Cerebral palsy | 3341 | Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia | |
| 3421 | Spastic Hemiplegia | ||
| 34,210 | Spastic Hemiplegia Affecting Unsp. Side | ||
| 3429 | Hemiplegia, Unspecified | ||
| 34,290 | Hemiplegia, Unsp., Affecting Unsp. Side | ||
| 34,291 | Hemiplegia, Unsp., Affecting Dominant Side | ||
| 34,292 | Hemiplegia, Unsp., Affecting Nondominant Side | ||
| 3430 | Congenital Diplegia | ||
| 3431 | Congenital Hemiplegia | ||
| 3432 | Congenital Quadriplegia | ||
| 3439 | Infantile Cerebral Palsy, Unspecified | ||
| 34,400 | Quadriplegia, Unspecified | ||
| 3441 | Paraplegia | ||
| 3442 | Diplegia Of Upper Limbs | ||
| 34,430 | Monoplegia of Lower Limb, Affecting Unsp. Side | ||
| 34,440 | Monoplegia of Upper Limb, Affecting Unsp. Side | ||
| 34,489 | Other Specified Paralytic Syndrome | ||
| 3449 | Paralysis, Unspecified | ||
| 3481 | Anoxic Brain Damage | ||
| 3526 | Multiple Cranial Nerve Palsies | ||
| 43,811 | Aphasia | ||
| 43,820 | Hemiplegia Affecting Unsp. Side | ||
| 7814 | Transient Paralysis of Limb | ||
| Psychiatric disorders | 2930 | Acute Delirium | |
| 2930 | Delirium Due to Conditions Classified Elsewhere | ||
| 29,384 | Anxiety Disorder in Conditions Classified Elsewhere | ||
| 2940 | Amnestic Disorder in Conditions Classified Elsewhere | ||
| 2949 | Unspecified Persistent Mental Disorders Due to Cond. Class. Elsewh. | ||
| 29,530 | Paranoid Type Schizophrenia, Unspecified State | ||
| 29,570 | Schizoaffective Disorder Schizophrenia, Unspecified State | ||
| 29,580 | Other Specified Types of Schizophrenia, Unspecified State | ||
| 29,590 | Unspecified Type Schizophrenia, Unspecified State | ||
| 29,600 | Bipolar I Disorder, Single Manic Episode, Unspecified Degree | ||
| 29,620 | Major Depressive Affective Disorder, Single Episode, Unsp. Degree | ||
| 29,680 | Bipolar Disorder, Unspecified | ||
| 29,690 | Unspecified Episodic Mood Disorder | ||
| 29,699 | Other Specified Affective Psychoses | ||
| 2971 | Delusional Disorder | ||
| 2979 | Unspecified Paranoid State | ||
| 2981 | Excitative Type Psychosis | ||
| 2983 | Acute Paranoid Reaction | ||
| 2989 | Unspecified Psychosis | ||
| 30,000 | Anxiety State, Unspecified | ||
| 30,001 | Panic Disorder without Agoraphobia | ||
| 30,009 | Other Anxiety States | ||
| 30,010 | Hysteria, Unspecified | ||
| 30,011 | Conversion Disorder | ||
| 30,029 | Other Isolated or Simple Phobias | ||
| 3003 | Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders | ||
| 3004 | Dysthymic Disorder | ||
| 3004 | Neurotic Depression | ||
| 3009 | Unspecified Nonpsychotic Mental Disorder | ||
| 30,183 | Borderline Personality | ||
| 30,183 | Borderline Personality Disorder | ||
| 3019 | Unspecified Personality Disorder | ||
| 3026 | Disorders of Psychosexual Identity | ||
| 30,302 | Ac. Alcoholic Intoxic. in Alcoholism, Episodic Drinking Behavior | ||
| 30,400 | Opioid Type Dependence, Unspecified Use | ||
| 30,430 | Cannabis Dependence, Unspecified Use | ||
| 30,432 | Cannabis Dependence, Episodic Use | ||
| 30,500 | Alcohol Abuse, Unspecified Drinking Behavior | ||
| 30,501 | Alcohol Abuse, Continuous Drinking Behavior | ||
| 30,502 | Alcohol Abuse, Episodic Drinking Behavior | ||
| 3051 | Tobacco Use Disorder (Tobacco Dependence) | ||
| 30,591 | Other, Mixed, Or Unspecified Drug Abuse, Continuous Use | ||
| 3061 | Respiratory Malfunction Arising from Mental Factors | ||
| 3062 | Cardiovascular Malfunction Arising from Mental Factors | ||
| 3068 | Other Specified Psychophysiological Malfunction | ||
| 3069 | Unspecified Psychophysiological Malfunction | ||
| 3070 | Adult Onset Fluency Disorder | ||
| 3070 | Stammering and Stuttering | ||
| 3070 | Stuttering | ||
| 30,720 | Tic Disorder, Unspecified | ||
| 30,722 | Chronic Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder | ||
| 30,723 | Tourette’s Disorder | ||
| 30,752 | Pica | ||
| 3080 | Predominant Disturbance of Emotions | ||
| 3089 | Unspecified Acute Reaction to Stress | ||
| 309 | Adjustment Reaction | ||
| 3090 | Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood | ||
| 30,924 | Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety | ||
| 3094 | Adjustment Disor. with Mixed Disturb. of Emotions and Conduct | ||
| 30,981 | Posttraumatic Stress Disorder | ||
| 3099 | Unspecified Adjustment Reaction | ||
| 311 | Depressive Disorder, Not Elsewhere Classified | ||
| 31,210 | Undersocialized Conduct Disorder, Unaggressive Type, Unspecified | ||
| 31,239 | Other Disorders of Impulse Control | ||
| 3129 | Unspecified Disturbance of Conduct | ||
| 31,389 | Other Emotional Disturbances of Childhood or Adolescence | ||
| 3139 | Unspecified Emotional Disturbance of Childhood or Adolescence | ||
| 316 | Psychic Factors Associated with Diseases Classified Elsewhere | ||
| 7801 | Hallucinations | ||
| 7803 | Convulsions | ||
| 7992 | Nervousness | ||
| 79,921 | Nervousness | ||
| 79,922 | Irritability | ||
| 79,925 | Demoralization and Apathy | ||
| 79,929 | Other Signs and Symptoms Involving Emotional State | ||
| 7993 | Debility, Unspecified | ||
| V6284 | Suicidal Ideation | ||
| Attention deficit disorders | 31,400 | Attention Deficit Disorder without Hyperactivity | |
| 31,401 | Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity | ||
| 3142 | Hyperkinetic Conduct Disorder of Childhood | ||
| 3149 | Unspecified Hyperkinetic Syndrome of Childhood | ||
| V400 | Mental and Behavioral Problems with Learning | ||
| V409 | Unspecified Mental or Behavioral Problem | ||
| Developmental disorders | 3152 | Other Specific Developmental Learning Difficulties | |
| 31,531 | Expressive Language Disorder | ||
| 31,534 | Speech and Language Developmental Delay Due to Hearing Loss | ||
| 31,539 | Other Developmental Speech Disorder | ||
| 3154 | Developmental Coordination Disorder | ||
| 3158 | Other Specified Delays in Development | ||
| 3159 | Unspecified Delay in Development | ||
| 317 | Mild Intellecutal Disabilities | ||
| 317 | Mild Mental Retardation | ||
| 319 | Unspecified Intellectual Disabilities | ||
| 319 | Unspecified Mental Retardation | ||
| 33,183 | Mild Cognitive Impairment, So Stated | ||
| 7834 | Lack of Expected Normal Physiological Development | ||
| 7834 | Lack of Expected Normal Physiological Development in Childhood | ||
| 78,340 | Lack of Normal Physiological Development, Unspecified | ||
| Degenerative disorders | 330 | Cerebral Degenerations Usually Manifest in Childhood | |
| 3300 | Leukodystrophy | ||
| 3308 | Other Specified Cerebral Degenerations in Childhood | ||
| 3313 | Communicating Hydrocephalus | ||
| 33,132 | Post Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus | ||
| 3314 | Obstructive Hydrocephalus | ||
| 33,189 | Other Cerebral Degeneration | ||
| 3319 | Cerebral Degeneration, Unspecified | ||
| 3348 | Other Spinocerebellar Diseases | ||
| 335 | Anterior Horn Cell Disease | ||
| 3350 | Werdnig-Hoffmann Disease | ||
| 33,510 | Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Unspecified | ||
| 33,522 | Progressive Bulbar Palsy | ||
| 33,523 | Pseudobulbar Palsy | ||
| 3360 | Syringomyelia And Syringobulbia | ||
| 340 | Multiple Sclerosis | ||
| 3410 | Neuromyelitis Optica | ||
| 3411 | Schilder’s Disease | ||
| 34,120 | Acute (Transverse) Myelitis Nos | ||
| 3419 | Demyelinating Disease of Central Nervous System, Unspecified | ||
| 3480 | Cerebral Cysts | ||
| 348,891 | Cerebral Calcification | ||
| 3590 | Congenital Hereditary Muscular Dystrophy | ||
| 3591 | Hereditary Progressive Muscular Dystrophy | ||
| Headache | 30,781 | Tension Headache | |
| 34,600 | Migraine With Aura without Mention Of Intractable Migraine, Without Mention Of Status Migrainosus | ||
| 34,601 | Migraine with Aura, So Stated, without Mention of Statu. Migrainosus | ||
| 34,620 | Variants of Migraine, without Intractable Migraine | ||
| 34,630 | Hemiplegic Migraine without Mention of Intractable Migraine, With Out Mention of Status Migrainosus | ||
| 34,670 | Chronic Migraine without Aura without Mention of Intractable Migr Aine, without Mention of Status Migrainosus | ||
| 3469 | Migraine, Unspecified | ||
| 34,690 | Migraine, Unspecified, without Intractabel Migraine | ||
| 34,690 | Migraine, Unspecified, without Mention of Intractable Migraine Wi Thout Mention of Status Migrainosus | ||
| Myopathy | 3556 | Lesion of Plantar Nerve | |
| 33,709 | Other Idiopathic Peripheral Autonomic Neuropathy | ||
| 33,720 | Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Unspecified | ||
| 33,721 | Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy of Upper Limb | ||
| 33,722 | Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy of Lower Limb | ||
| 3379 | Unspecified Disorder of Autonomic Nervous System | ||
| 3510 | Bell’s Palsy | ||
| 3518 | Other Facial Nerve Disorders | ||
| 3519 | Facial Nerve Disorder, Unspecified | ||
| 352 | Disorders of Other Cranial Nerves | ||
| 3539 | Unspecified Nerve Root and Plexus Disorder | ||
| 3542 | Lesion of Ulnar Nerve | ||
| 3548 | Other Mononeuritis of Upper Limb | ||
| 3549 | Mononeuritis of Upper Limb, Unspecified | ||
| 3553 | Lesion of Lateral Popliteal Nerve | ||
| 3558 | Mononeuritis of Lower Limb, Unspecified | ||
| 3559 | Mononeuritis of Unspecified Site | ||
| 3562 | Hereditary Sensory Neuropathy | ||
| 3564 | Idiopathic Progressive Polyneuropathy | ||
| 3568 | Other Specified Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy | ||
| 3569 | Unspecified Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy | ||
| 3570 | Acute Infective Polyneuritis | ||
| 3571 | Polyneuropathy in Collagen Vascular Disease | ||
| 3572 | Polyneuropathy in Diabetes | ||
| 3577 | Polyneuropathy Due to Other Toxic Agents | ||
| 35,781 | Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuritis | ||
| 35,800 | Myasthenia Gravis without (Acute) Exacerbation | ||
| 3588 | Other Specified Myoneural Disorders | ||
| 3589 | Myoneural Disorders, Unspecified | ||
| 3592 | Myotonic Disorders | ||
| 3599 | Myopathy, Unspecified | ||
| Others | 30,789 | Other Psychalgia | |
| 33,381 | Blepharospasm | ||
| 3384 | Chronic Pain Syndrome | ||
| 33,903 | Episodic Paroxysmal Hemicrania | ||
| 3482 | Benign Intracranial Hypertension | ||
| 3483 | Encephalopathy, Unspecified | ||
| 3483 | Encephalopathy, not Elsewhere Classified | ||
| 34,830 | Encephalopathy, Unspecified | ||
| 34,831 | Metabolic Encephalopathy | ||
| 34,881 | Cerebral Calcification | ||
| 34,881 | Temporal Sclerosis | ||
| 34,889 | Other Conditions of Brain | ||
| 3490 | Reaction to Spinal or Lumbar Puncture | ||
| 3492 | Disorders of Meninges, not Elsewhere Classified | ||
| 34,981 | Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea | ||
| 34,989 | Other Specified Disorders of Nervous System | ||
| 3499 | Unspecified Disorders of Nervous System | ||
| 3561 | Peroneal Muscular Atrophy | ||
| 7802 | Syncope and Collapse | ||
| 78,093 | Memory Loss | ||
| 7843 | Aphasia | ||
| 99,701 | Central Nervous System Complication | ||
| 99,709 | Other Nervous System Complications |
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Figure 1.
Log of survival, total neurological hospitalizations up to the age of 18 years by presence or absence of true knot of cord * (* log rank test p = 0.120).
Figure 1.
Log of survival, total neurological hospitalizations up to the age of 18 years by presence or absence of true knot of cord * (* log rank test p = 0.120).
Table 1.
Perinatal outcome according to presence or absence of true knot of the umbilical cord.
| Perinatal Outcomes | True Knot of Cord % (n = 2606) * | No True Knot of Cord % (n = 241,076) | Odds Ratio (Confidence Interval) | p-Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethnicity | Jewish | 60 (1572) | 47.2 (113,782) | <0.001 | ||
| Bedouin | 39.7 (1034) | 52.8 (127,294) | <0.001 | |||
| Mean maternal age (years, mean ± SD) | 30.2 ± 5.9 | 28.1 ± 5.8 | <0.001 | |||
| Parity | 1 | 15.5 (405) | 23.7 (57,100) | <0.001 | ||
| 2–4 | 54.8 (1428) | 51.1 (123,086) | ||||
| ≥5 | 29.7 (773) | 25.2 (60,837) | ||||
| Maternal Diabetes | 8.4 (220) | 5 (11,939) | 1.77 (1.539–2.034) | <0.001 | ||
| Maternal Hypertension | 7.4 (192) | 5 (12,055) | 1.511 (1.303–1.752) | <0.001 | ||
| Mean gestational age (weeks, mean ± SD **) | 38.8 ± 2.4 | 39.1 ± 1.09 | <0.001 | |||
| Preterm delivery (<37 0/7 weeks of gestation) | 10.5 (274) | 6.8 (16,446) | 1.605 (1.415–1.821) | <0.001 | ||
| Induced labor | 28.7 (747) | 26.1 (62,897) | 1.138 (1.045–1.24) | 0.003 | ||
| Cesarean delivery | 17.4 (453) | 13.5 (32,573) | 1.347 (1.216–1.491) | <0.001 | ||
| Placental abruption | 0.8 (21) | 0.6 (1338) | 1.456 (0.944–2.244) | 0.087 | ||
| Meconium stained amniotic fluid | 18.9 (493) | 14.7 (35,399) | 1.356 (1.228–1.496) | <0.001 | ||
| Low (<7) 1 min Apgar score | 7.3 (190) | 5.3 (12,800) | 1.403 (1.209–1.627) | <0.001 | ||
| Low (<7) 5 min Apgar score | 2.9 (76) | 2.3 (5433) | 1.303 (1.035–1.639) | 0.024 | ||
| Perinatal mortality | Total perinatal mortality | 1.8 (48) | 0.5 (1292) | 3.483 (2.604–4.658) | <0.001 | |
| Intra uterine | 1.5 (39) | 0.3 (713) | 5.122 (3.702–7.086) | <0.001 | ||
| Intra-partum | 0.1 (2) | 0.024 (60) | 3.085 (0.754–12.629) | 0.099 | ||
| Immediately post-partum | 0.3 (7) | 0.2 (519) | 1.248 (0.592–2.634) | 0.560 | ||
| Mean birth weight (grams, mean ± SD) | 3209 ± 564 | 3205 ± 510 | 0.73 | |||
| Low birth weight (<2500 g) | 9.2 (239) | 6.7 (16,165) | 1.405 (1.229–1.606) | <0.001 | ||
| Male gender | 61.6 (1604) | 50.7 (122,273) | 1.555 (1.437–1.684) | <0.001 | ||
| Female gender | 38.4 (1002) | 49.3 (118,803) | 1.555 (1.437–1.684) | <0.001 | ||
* All numbers presented in % (n) unless otherwise stated, ** SD = Standard deviation.
Table 2.
Multivariable regression analysis for the association between true knot of cord and perinatal mortality.
Table 2.
Multivariable regression analysis for the association between true knot of cord and perinatal mortality.
| Adjusted Odds Ratio (Confidence Interval) | p-Value | |
|---|---|---|
| True knot of cord | 3.606 (2.685–4.841) | <0.001 |
| Ethnicity (Jewish compared to Bedouin) | 0.595 (0.529–0.668) | <0.001 |
| Smoking | 1.52 (0.909–2.54) | 0.11 |
| Maternal diabetes | 0.628 (0.463–0.852) | 0.003 |
| Maternal Hypertension | 2.089 (1.733–2.518) | <0.001 |
| Birth year | 0.937 (0.929–0.946) | <0.001 |
Table 3.
Long term neurological hospitalizations of the offspring born with and without true knot of the umbilical cord.
Table 3.
Long term neurological hospitalizations of the offspring born with and without true knot of the umbilical cord.
| Neurological Morbidity | True Knot of Cord % (n = 2558) | No Knot of Cord % (n = 239,784) | p-Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autistic spectrum disorders | 0.0003 (1) | 0.0001 (27) | 0.193 |
| Eating disorders | 0.2 (6) | 0.2 (429) | 0.508 |
| Sleeping disorders | 0.0003 (1) | 0.0001 (47) | 0.486 |
| Movement disorders | 2.2 (56) | 1.8 (4416) | 0.194 |
| Cerebral palsy | 0.1 (2) | 0.1 (199) | 0.933 |
| Psychiatric emotional | 0.5 (12) | 0.5 (1183) | 0.862 |
| Attention deficit disorders | 0.2 (4) | 0.1 (139) | 0.041 |
| Developmental disorders | 0.2 (5) | 0.1 (234) | 0.117 |
| Degenerative, demyelination | 0.03 (1) | 0.1 (180) | 0.508 |
| Headache | 0 (0) | 0.0002 (54) | 0.448 |
| Myopathy | 0.1 (2) | 0.1 (136) | 0.651 |
| Other | 0.4 (10) | 0.4 (907) | 0.917 |
| Total Neurological hospitalizations | 3.7 (95) | 3.1 (7448) | 0.078 |
Table 4.
Cox regression analysis for the association between long term neurological morbidity and true knot of cord.
Table 4.
Cox regression analysis for the association between long term neurological morbidity and true knot of cord.
| Adjusted Hazard Ratio (Confidence Interval) | p Value | |
|---|---|---|
| True knot of cord | 1.236 (0.728–2.1) | 0.432 |
| Diabetes | 1.143 (0.87–1.501) | 0.337 |
| Hypertension | 1.249 (1.017–1.534) | 0.034 |
| Maternal age (at birth) | 0.993 (0.981–1.005) | 0.265 |
| Child birth year | 1.092 (1.076–1.109) | <0.001 |
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Lichtman, Y.; Wainstock, T.; Walfisch, A.; Sheiner, E. The Significance of True Knot of the Umbilical Cord in Long-Term Offspring Neurological Health. J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10, 123. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10010123
AMA Style
Lichtman Y, Wainstock T, Walfisch A, Sheiner E. The Significance of True Knot of the Umbilical Cord in Long-Term Offspring Neurological Health. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2021; 10(1):123. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10010123
Chicago/Turabian StyleLichtman, Yael, Tamar Wainstock, Asnat Walfisch, and Eyal Sheiner. 2021. "The Significance of True Knot of the Umbilical Cord in Long-Term Offspring Neurological Health" Journal of Clinical Medicine 10, no. 1: 123. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10010123
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