Abstract
BACKGROUND: Three vessels-one vein and two arteries-allow the fetus and placenta to exchange waste, oxygen, and nutrients in the umbilical cord. Single umbilical artery (SUA), a congenital abnormality with one umbilical artery, can occur in some pregnancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current observational study was conducted at the Parul Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Waghodia, Vadodara, Gujarat. Ten percent formalin was used to preserve 5 cm segment of the placental cord after delivery. Paraffin-embedded slices were produced, and H and E staining was performed on a 3 μm segment. RESULTS: This study compared 125 normal and 125 intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) infant umbilical cords. IUGR neonates had significantly thinner umbilical vessel walls than normal newborns, although their cross-sectional area was similar between sexes. CONCLUSION: The thickness of umbilical cord blood arteries affects IUGR, according to this study. These large vessel wall thickness changes may indicate IUGR or associated disorders.