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Background: The anthropometric parameters of the umbilical cord have clinical significance. Current parameters of the cord, its correlates and related foetal outcome are lacking in our parturients.

Objectives: To describe the anthropometric parameters and abnormalities of the umbilical cord; and determine their maternal correlates and foetal outcome.

Design: A cross sectional analytical study.

Setting: The Obstetric and Gynaecology Department of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, between September 2012 and June 2013.

Subjects: Healthy pregnant women with singleton pregnancies.

Results: Four hundred and twenty-eight (428) singleton deliveries were studied. The respective mean values of the cord length and width were 526.87±115.5 mm and 19.56±11.12 mm. Short cord (< 40cm) occurred in 7.2% while long cord (> 69cm) was found in 9.3% of the parturient. The incidences of single umbilical artery, cord round the body and knots were 7%, 8.4% and 14.5% respectively. Nuchal cord was the most common (91.4%). Only gestational age had significant statistical relationship with cord length abnormalities (P= 0.0093). The cord length was an important correlate of cord helices, knots and vessels (P< 0.05). Parity had correlations with the number of vessels (R= 0.099, P= 0.042). The cord coiling index was statistically related to the presence of congenital abnormalities (P= 0.011). Other perinatal events were not related to umbilical cord parameters. Perinatal asphyxia was the most common indication for NICU admission (3.5%) but there was no significant statistical difference between NICU admission and cord parameters.

Conclusion: The …