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).
RELATED INFORMATION
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