IJAR.2025.144
Type of Article: Original Research
Volume 13; Issue 2 (June 2025)
Page No.: 9225-9231
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2025.144
Comparison between Histomorphometry of Wharton’s Jelly of Umbilical Cord in Intrauterine Growth Retarded Foetus and Normal Foetus – Cross Sectional Study
Dinesh Kumar *1, Jagdish S. Soni 2, Ravindra Kumar B 3, Mitesh Dave 4.
*1 PhD Scholar, Department of Anatomy, Parul Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Faculty of Medicine, Parul University, Waghodia, Vadodara (391760), Gujarat, India. ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1352-3276
2 Research Guide, Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, Parul Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Faculty of Medicine, Parul University, Waghodia, Vadodara (391760), Gujarat, India. ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4960-3250
3 Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Parul Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Faculty of Medicine, Parul University, Waghodia, Vadodara (391760), Gujarat, India. ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0569-1472
4 Professor of Anatomy and Course Director of Histology, Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2485-1569
Corresponding Author: Dinesh Kumar, PhD Scholar, Department of Anatomy, Parul Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Faculty of Medicine, Parul University, Waghodia , Vadodara (391760), Gujarat, India. E-Mail: choudharyyydinesh@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Background: In normal pregnancies, sonographic investigations produced a nomogram for the Wharton’s jelly (WJ) area for varying gestational ages. Up to 32 weeks of pregnancy, the WJ area significantly increased; after that, it was steady. Extra-embryonic mesoderm is the source of WJ, Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is related with not only an increased risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality but it is also may influence health of adult. Hence the basic research is very essential to understand the altered morphology of foetal tissues causing IUGR.
Methods: This was an observational case series study. Just after delivery, 5 cm of umbilical cord was collected from 5 cm of the placenta and preserved in 10% formalin. Sections were embedded in paraffin wax and then processed for slide preparation. The sections were examined and analyzed.
Result: The mean values of UC Diameter, UC Area, WJ Area, Total Vessel Area, UV Area, UA1 Area, UA2 Area in in IUGR group are 7.76±1.06 mm, 48.12±10.98 mm2, 43.66±43.66 mm2, 4.46± 0.13 mm2, 1.69 ± 0.08mm2, 1.23± 0.08 mm2 and 1.54±0.09 mm2 respectively. The mean values of UC Diameter UC Area, WJ Area, Total Vessel Area, UV Area, UA1 Area, UA2 Area in normal group are 11.86±2.09mm, 56.40±17.21mm2, 50.56±34.21 mm2, 5.83 ± 0.24mm2, 2.45 mm2, 1.52 mm2 and 1.87 mm2 respectively.
Conclusion: The Present study has revealed changes in the thickness of umbilical cord blood vessels that lead to IUGR. Significant changes in the Wharton’s jelly of umbilical blood vessel walls may be used as a very good indicator to detect IUGR or related conditions. Since the UC acts as a portal between the developing baby and the placenta, its shape may indicate the fetus’s health.
Key Words: Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Intrauterine Growth Retardation, Wharton’s jelly, Total vessel Area, Umbilical cord, Umbilical artery.
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