Umbilical Cord Management in Late Preterm and Term Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective The study aimed to compare the effects of three different methods of umbilical cord management on hematological parameters in term and late-preterm infants.

Study Design A randomized controlled trial comparing intact-umbilical cord milking (I-UCM) with cut-umbilical cord milking (C-UCM) and immediate cord clamping (ICC) in neonates born >35 weeks' gestation.

Results A total of 587 infants were evaluated. Of these, 197 were assigned to I-UCM, 190 to C-UCM, and 200 to ICC. Mean hemoglobin and hematocrit levels at 48 hours of age were higher in I-UCM group compared with the ICC group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.010, respectively).

Conclusion These findings suggest that I-UCM is more beneficial choice. Further trials are needed to assess the various long- and short-term effects of different cord milking methods.

Key Points

• This is the first study comparing these three methods (I-UCM, C-UCM, and ICC) concurrently.

• I-UCM is more beneficial choice.

• Although the terms I-UCM and C-UCM are often used interchangeably, these are different procedures.

Keywords

umbilical cord milking - intact-umbilical cord milking - cut-umbilical cord milking - newborn

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 28. Juli 2020

Angenommen: 23. November 2020

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
20. Januar 2021

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