[Effect of fetal umbilical cord entanglement on the postnatal status of the newborn infant].

The incidence of umbilical cord entanglements is about 30-35%. Their role for the fetal outcome and the obstetrical management (in case the entanglement has been detected antenatally) has been assessed differently. In this retrospective study we compared maternal and neonatal parameters of all monozygotic deliveries in 1990 with newborns with twisted fetal umbilical cord around the neck. No higher rate of forceps/VE, cesarean section or umbilical artery acidemia < 7.10 has been found. An exspectative obstetrical management with good fetal monitoring should be sufficient, because in most cases cord entanglements are harmless.