Perinatal Outcomes Related to the Presence of a Nuchal Cord During Delivery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

<b>Objective</b>: To evaluate and compare whether the presence of a nuchal cord (NC) and its characteristics had a negative impact on perinatal outcomes during delivery. <b>Methods</b>: This was a retrospective cohort study that analyzed the medical records of pregnant women from March 2020 to June 2023. Pregnant women were divided into groups with and without an NC. Singleton pregnancies ≥ 37 weeks were included, excluding fetal malformations, chromosomal anomalies, and cases with missing data and cord blood gas. <b>Results</b>: Of the 3364 medical records analyzed, 466 were included-366 without and 100 with an NC. Among the cases with an NC, 91% had one loop and 9% had ≥ two loops; 82% were loose and 18% were tight. Pregnant women with an NC had a higher gestational age (39.7 vs. 39.1 weeks, <i>p</i> = 0.006), fewer deliveries (1.0 vs. 2.0, <i>p</i> = 0.035), and a higher prevalence of cesarean sections (99% vs. 60.4%, <i>p</i> < 0.001). An NC was associated with a lower Apgar score at the 1st minute (8 vs. 9, <i>p</i> = 0.014) and higher arterial cord blood pH (7.27 vs. 7.24, <i>p</i> = 0.020). The presence of a tight cord was significantly associated with a 7.52-fold increased risk of an Apgar score < 7 at the 1st minute [x²(1) = 5.92, OR: 7.52, 95% CI: 1.51-37.31, R² Nagelkerke: 0.14, <i>p</i> = 0.014]. <b>Conclusions</b>: There was no effect of the presence of an NC on adverse perinatal outcomes. However, the presence of a tight NC was associated with an increased risk of an Apgar score < 7 at the 1st minute, but no other effect on neonatal outcomes.