Umbilical cord milking safer than delayed cord clamping for preterm infants born after 28 weeks
USA: A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics has suggested that umbilical cord milking (UCM) may be a safe alternative to delayed cord clamping (DCM) in premature infants born at 28 to 32 weeks who require resuscitation.
Umbilical cord milking is a treatment to move blood from the umbilical cord into an infant's body. It involves gently squeezing the cord between the thumb and forefinger and pushing the blood into the newborn’s abdomen.
Key findings were as follows:
- Among 1019 infants (UCM n = 511 and DCC n = 508), all completed the trial from birth through initial hospitalization (mean gestational age 31 weeks, 44% female).
- For the primary outcome, 1.4% of infants randomized to umbilical cord milking developed severe intraventricular haemorrhage or died compared to 1.4% of infants randomized to delayed cord clamping (rate difference 0.01%).
"In this randomized controlled trial of UCM versus DCC among preterm infants born between 28 and 32 weeks’ gestation, we found no difference in the rates of severe IVH or death," the researchers wrote.
"UCM may be a safe alternative to DCC in premature infants born at 28 to 32 weeks who require resuscitation," they concluded.
Reference:
"Umbilical Cord Milking Versus Delayed Cord Clamping in Infants 28 to 32 Weeks: A Randomized Trial," was published in the journal Pediatrics.
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