Umbilical cord length in urinary tract abnormalities associated with oligohydramnios: Evidence regarding developmental pathogenesis

We performed a retrospective review of the length of the umbilical cords of stillborn fetuses with renal agenesis, cystic kidneys, and bladder outlet obstruction and compared the cord length with normative data. Among the 41 cases, 31 had umbilical cord lengths that were shorter than average. However, the remaining 10 cases had an average to increased cord length. Urinary output in those cases might have been sufficient in early pregnancy to allow adequate fetal activity and sufficient umbilical cord lengthening. We suggest that the length of the umbilical cord can have implications relative to the developmental pathogenesis of some congenital urinary tract abnormalities.