ABSTRACT

Nuchal cord is defined as 360 degrees rapped around the fetal neck with overall prevalence of 25%.

Aim: To determine the predictive accuracy of grey scale divot sign and Doppler ultrasound for the diagnosis of nuchal cord.

Study design: Cross-sectional study.

Methodology: Patients (n=325) of nuchal cord were enrolled to carry out this study at Tariq Clinic, Lahore, for 9 months. The age, gestational age sonographic and clinical, AFI, presence of nuchal cord diagnosed by grey scale with divot sign and on Doppler ultrasound were noted. Data analyzed by SPSS 24.0v. Mean ± SD for age whereas frequency and percentages were given for qualitative parameters. Significant p-value was of ≤0.05.

Results: The mean age of patients was 28.99 ± 5.16 years with range (19-41years). Out of 325 patients, 251 patients were diagnosed on grey scale with divot sign and Doppler ultrasound with sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 70.59%, 91.61%, 61.02% and 94.36% respectively.

Conclusion: It was concluded that on the basis of divot sign, nuchal cord can be diagnosed where Doppler ultrasound is unavailable. On Doppler ultrasound nuchal cord can be confirmed with high accuracy.

Keywords: Divot sign, Nuchal cord, accuracy of grey scale and Doppler