蝌蚪窝视频

The coiled structure of the umbilical cord 鈥� the vital link between a baby and its mother during pregnancy 鈥� plays an important role in helping to keep babies healthy in the womb, according to new research led by The University of 蝌蚪窝视频.

Working with colleagues at 蝌蚪窝视频 St Mary鈥檚 Hospital and the University of Malaysia, the researchers used mathematical modelling to understand how the cord鈥檚 unique twisted shape affects the way oxygen, nutrients and heat are exchanged before birth.

The study, published in the , found that the spiral design of the blood vessels in the cord appears to affect the exchange of oxygen and heat, minimising the risk of heat and oxygen being lost, helping to keep babies鈥� temperature and oxygen levels stable before birth.

Although the umbilical cord is essential to life, scientists still know little about how its complex coiled structure contributes to its function. These new findings shed light on an overlooked but vital process.

Complications linked to the placenta and umbilical cord, such as fetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia, affect around 10% of pregnancies in the UK, yet remain poorly understood.

The researchers hope their work will pave the way for further studies on abnormal cord structures, such as cords that are too loosely or tightly coiled, which are known to be associated with complications during pregnancy.

Paper details:

Journal : Journal of the Royal Society Interface

Full title: A functional shunt in the umbilical cord: the role of coiling in solute and heat transfer

DOI:

The image from this research was also chosen as the journal's issue cover: