Inter- and intra-observer variability in Sonographic measurements of the cross-sectional diameters and area of the umbilical cord and its vessels during pregnancy
2008

Variability in Umbilical Cord Measurements During Pregnancy

Sample size: 221 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Barbieri Cristiane, Cecatti Jose G, Souza Carla E, Marussi Emilio F, Costa Jose V

Primary Institution: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil

Hypothesis

The study aims to evaluate inter- and intra-observer variability in sonographic measurements of the umbilical cord and its vessels in low-risk pregnancies.

Conclusion

Inter- and intra-observer variability in the measurements of the umbilical cord and its vessels was small, indicating good reliability and agreement.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study included 221 low-risk pregnant women.
  • Measurements were taken by two different observers to assess variability.
  • Statistical analysis showed good reliability with high correlation coefficients.

Takeaway

Doctors can measure the umbilical cord and its vessels during pregnancy, and different doctors will get similar results, which is good for checking on babies.

Methodology

A prospective cross-sectional study was performed with 221 pregnant women, measuring the umbilical cord and vessel diameters by two different observers to assess variability.

Limitations

Different techniques were used for measuring at various gestational ages, which may affect results.

Participant Demographics

{"total":221,"nulliparous":103,"previous_abortion":27,"at_least_one_living_child":118,"white":168,"age_distribution":{"14-19":21,"20-29":98,"30-39":85,"40-45":17},"gestational_age_distribution":{"14-16":7,"17-21":23,"22-24":23,"25-28":43,"29-32":50,"33-36":30,"37-40":45}}

Statistical Information

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1742-4755-5-5

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