Umbilical Cord Milking Reduces Duration of Inotrope Support in Preterm Infants Less than 32 Weeks of Gestation, Born with Cesarean Section in Comparison to Delayed Cord Clamping

ABSTRACT

Objective: Very preterm infants commonly need inotrope support. We aimed to demonstrate that umbilical cord milking (UCM)would reduce the need for inotropes in preterm infants born with cesarean section in comparison to delayed cord clamping (DCC).Study Design: We compared the need of inotrope support, in a pilot randomized controlled trial, among preterm infants<32 weeks’ gestation receiving UCM (n = 25) in comparison to those who underwent DCC (n = 24).Results: Baseline maternal and newborn characteristics were similar. There was a significant reduction in the total duration ofinotrope support (P = 0.004) and total duration of respiratory support (P = 0.021) in babies undergoing UCM when comparedto those undergoing DCC. Trend toward reduction in incidence of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus andintraventricular hemorrhage was noted in UCM group.Conclusion: UCM significantly improved respiratory and hemodynamic stability in preterm infants <32 weeks’ gestation withoutassociated complications.