Effects of delayed cord clamping on residual placental blood volume, hemoglobin and bilirubin levels in term infants: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to measure the effects of a 5-min delay (DCC) versus immediate cord clamping (ICC) on residual placental blood volume (RPBV) at birth, and hemoglobin and serum bilirubin at 24 to 48 h of age. STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 73 women with term (37 to 41 weeks) singleton fetuses were randomized to DCC (⩾5 min; n=37) or ICC (<20 s; n=36). RESULTS: Maternal and infant demographics were not different between the groups. Mean cord clamping time was 303±121 (DCC) versus 23±59 (ICC) s (P<0.001) with 10 protocol violations. Cord milking was the proxy for DCC (n=11) when the provider could not wait. Infants randomized to DCC compared with ICC had significantly less RPBV (20.0 versus 30.8 ml kg-1, P<0.001), higher hemoglobin levels (19.4 versus 17.8 g dl-1, P=0.002) at 24 to 48 h, with no difference in bilirubin levels. CONCLUSION: Term infants had early hematological advantage of DCC without increases in hyperbilirubinemia or symptomatic polycythemia.

Placental transfusion: a review.

Recently there have been a number of studies and presentations on the importance of providing a placental transfusion to the newborn. Early cord clamping is an avoidable, unphysiologic intervention that prevents the natural process of placental transfusion. However, placental transfusion, although simple in concept, is affected by multiple factors, is not always straightforward to implement, and can be performed using different methods, making this basic procedure important to discuss. Here, we review three placental transfusion techniques: delayed cord clamping, intact umbilical cord milking and cut-umbilical cord milking, and the evidence in term and preterm newborns supporting this practice. We will also review several factors that influence placental transfusion, and discuss perceived risks versus benefits of this procedure. Finally, we will provide key straightforward concepts and implementation strategies to ensure that placental-to-newborn transfusion can become routine practice at any institution.

Umbilical cord milking in term infants delivered by cesarean section: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The study's objective was to compare hematocrit (Hct) levels at 36 to 48 h of age in term infants delivered by cesarean section exposed to immediate cord clamping or umbilical cord milking (UCM). STUDY DESIGN: In this randomized controlled trial, 24 women scheduled for elective cesarean section were randomized to either immediate clamping (<10 s) or UCM (milked × 5 by the obstetrical provider) at birth. RESULT: All subjects received their allocated intervention. The milking group had a smaller placental residual blood volume (13.2±5.6 vs 19.2±5.4 ml kg(-1), P=0.01) and higher Hct levels at 36 to 48 h (57.5±6.6 vs 50.0±6.4 %, P=0.01). Five infants (42%) in the immediate group had a Hct of ≤47%, indicative of anemia. CONCLUSION: UCM results in placental transfusion in term infants at the time of elective cesarean section with higher Hct levels at 36 to 48 h of age.

Seven-month developmental outcomes of very low birth weight infants enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of delayed versus immediate cord clamping.

OBJECTIVE: The results from our previous trial revealed that infants with delayed cord clamping (DCC) had significantly lesser intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and late-onset sepsis (LOS) than infants with immediate cord clamping (ICC). A priori, we hypothesized that infants with DCC would have better motor function by 7 months corrected age. STUDY DESIGN: Infants between 24 and 31 weeks were randomized to ICC or DCC and follow-up evaluation was completed at 7 months corrected age. RESULT: We found no differences in the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) scores between the DCC and ICC groups. However, a regression model of effects of DCC on motor scores controlling for gestational age, IVH, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis and male gender suggested higher motor scores of male infants with DCC. CONCLUSION: DCC at birth seems to be protective of very low birth weight male infants against motor disability at 7 months corrected age.

Current best evidence: a review of the literature on umbilical cord clamping.

Immediate clamping of the umbilical cord can reduce the red blood cells an infant receives at birth by more than 50%, resulting in potential short-term and long-term neonatal problems. Cord clamping studies from 1980 to 2001 were reviewed. Five hundred thirty-one term infants in the nine identified randomized and nonrandomized studies experienced late clamping, ranging from 3 minutes to cessation of pulsations, without symptoms of polycythemia or significant hyperbilirubinemia. Higher red blood cell flow to vital organs in the first week was noted, and term infants had less anemia at 2 months and increased duration of early breastfeeding. In seven randomized trials of preterm infants, benefits associated with delayed clamping in these infants included higher hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, blood pressure, and blood volume, with better cardiopulmonary adaptation and fewer days of oxygen and ventilation and fewer transfusions needed. For both term and preterm infants, few, if any, risks were associated with delayed cord clamping. Longitudinal studies of infants with immediate and delayed cord clamping are needed.

Umbilical cord clamping: beliefs and practices of American nurse-midwives.

The optimal time for umbilical cord clamping after birth remains a critical unknown fact that has implications for the infant, the mother, and science. A national survey was conducted using a randomized sample (n = 303) of the active membership of the ACNM to determine cord clamping practices and beliefs of American nurse-midwives. The response rate was 56%. The respondents fell into three cord clamping categories: early (EC) or before 1 minute (26%); intermediate (IC) or 1 to 3 minutes (35%); and late (LC) or after pulsations cease (33%). The EC group believes that early clamping facilitates management of the newborn. The IC group believes that a moderate delay of clamping allows for a gradual transition to extrauterine circulation, although many think that the timing of cord clamping is not significant. The LC group have strongly held beliefs that late clamping supports physiologic birth processes. The majority of CNMs (87%) place the baby on the mother's abdomen immediately after birth and 96% avoid clamping a nuchal cord whenever possible. Although Varney's Midwifery was cited most frequently as a reference, 78% of the respondents listed no references reflecting, in part, the absence of evidence-based recommendations for cord clamping practices.