UMBILICAL
CORD
The umbilical cord (also called the
birth cord of funiculus umbilicalis) is
the connecting cord from the
developing embryo or fetus to the placenta . during prenatal development
the umbilical cord is physiologically and
genetically part of the fetus and (in humans)
normally contains two arteries (The
umbilical arteries ) and one vein (The
umbilical vein) buried within Whantons Jelly. The umbilical
vein supplies the fetus with oxygenated, nutrient –rich blood from the
placenta. The fetal heart pumps
deoxygenated, nutrient depleted blood through the umbilical arteries back to
the placenta.
PLACENTAL
MALARIA
Much of the deleterious effect o malaria in
pregnancy is probably due to placental malaria. This is especially so. In women who were prior to pregnancy semi-immune (Uneke
et al, 2008) malaria parasites may often be found in large number sequestrated
in the placenta where none can be found in the blood (Mohmond 2007) . It is this placenta malaria that
mostly affects the fetal life. the
practical implication of this are
obvious, a negative blood slide
examination for malaria parasite in pregnant women does not rule
out the diagnosis because it is
possible that citizen based rapid diagnostic test will prove more sensitive
than conventional microscopy in detecting placental malaria or at least identify some increase
risk of still birth and premature birth. Deterioration in placental function may occur,
causing transient fatal. Hypoxia (Andrews, lanzer 2002).
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