Length of human umbilical cords in an African population.

Six hundred and sixty-one consecutive umbilical cords of babies at term in an African obstetric population were studied. The mean cord length was 58.4 +/- 12.02 cm. The pattern of frequency distribution of cord length in this study conforms to previous findings from other racial groups, establishing the fact that cord length and its variability are not racially determined. There is a significant correlation between the cord length and weights of the fetus and placenta but not with the mother's parity.