Intact- versus cut-umbilical cord milking in preterm infants: a randomised controlled trial / 中国新生儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To study the early effects of intact-umbilical cord milking (I-UCM) and cut-umbilical cord milking (C-UCM) for the prevention of anemia of prematurity in preterm infants.Method:From January 2019 to October 2019, C-section delivered infants with gestational age <34 weeks were randomly assigned into I-UCM group and C-UCM group. Hematological parameters at different timepoints after birth, iron status, incidence of anemia within 7 d after birth, blood transfusions, transcutaneous bilirubin levels and the total duration of phototherapy were collected and analyzed.Result:A total of 60 cases were enrolled, including 30 in I-UCM group and 30 in C-UCM group. I-UCM group had significant higher levels of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct) and serum iron on admission ( P<0.05). Comparing with C-UCM group, Hb and Hct were significantly higher in I-UCM group at 7 d and 14 d after birth ( P<0.05). Lower prevalence of anemia within 1 week [3.3% (1/30) vs. 33.3% (10/30), P<0.05] and less blood transfusions during hospitalization [13.3% (4/30) vs. 56.7% (17/30)] were noted in I-UCM group. No statistically significant differences existed between the two groups in phototherapy duration and the peak bilirubin levels ( P>0.05). Conclusion:I-UCM can provide more placental transfusion at birth to increase Hb levels and iron storage to prevent and reduce anemia in preterm infants.