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Sonographic Prenatal Diagnosis of Marginal Placental Cord Insertion

Clinical Importance

Department of Radiology (C.C.L., D.H.P.) and Department of Reproductive Medicine, Division of Perinatal Medicine (A.L.S., A.D.H.), University of California, San Diego.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Andrew D. Hull, MD, University of California San Diego Medical Center 8433, 200 W Arbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92103-8433.

Objective. To assess the impact of a sonographic diagnosis of marginal placental cord insertion on birth weight and duration of pregnancy. Methods. A retrospective chart review was performed for 100 singleton pregnancies with prospectively identified marginal placental cord insertion. Results. Birth weights below the 10th percentile occurred in 6.25% of pregnancies without preeclampsia. Spontaneous preterm delivery occurred in 7.3% of pregnancies without preeclampsia. Rates of birth weight below the 10th percentile and preterm delivery were not significantly different from those in the general population. Preeclampsia developed in 4 patients; all had elective preterm deliveries, and all gave birth to neonates with birth weights below the 10th percentile. Conclusions. A prenatal diagnosis of marginal placental cord insertion is not associated with increased risk of growth impairment or preterm delivery.

Abbreviations: PCI, placental cord insertion

Key Words: sonography • cord • marginal • velamentous • growth restriction • preterm