A thin umbilical cord is associated with which condition?

A thin umbilical cord is most commonly associated with oligohydramnios, which refers to a lower-than-normal amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus during pregnancy. Amniotic fluid is crucial for the development of the fetus and helps cushion the umbilical cord. In conditions of oligohydramnios, the reduced volume of fluid can lead to a variety of complications, one of which is the occurrence of a thin umbilical cord. This can happen because the lack of fluid can restrict the growth and development of the cord itself.

In contrast, other conditions such as polyhydramnios involve an excess of amniotic fluid, which generally supports rather than constrains the umbilical cord. Macrosomia refers to a larger-than-average fetal size and does not imply a directly associated cord thickness. Placenta previa involves the placement of the placenta over the cervix and is unrelated to the characteristics of the umbilical cord. Therefore, due to the direct relationship between oligohydramnios and umbilical cord abnormalities, recognizing that thin cords are linked specifically to this condition is critical in neonatal care and assessment.