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Meta-Analysis
. 2012 Mar 14;2012(3):CD006176.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006176.pub2.

Umbilical vein injection for the routine management of third stage of labour

Rintaro Mori  1 , Juan Manuel Nardin, Naoko Yamamoto, Guillermo Carroli, Andrew Weeks
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Umbilical vein injection for the routine management of third stage of labour

Rintaro Mori et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage is among the biggest contributor to maternal mortality worldwide. Prevention of this condition includes routine use of uterotonic in the third stage of labour, which has been recommended throughout the world. Use of umbilical route to deliver this uterotonic after delivery of the baby has been proposed. Therapeutic use of this has been assessed, although routine (prophylactic) use of this has not been evaluated.

Objectives: To compare, from the best available evidence, the effects of umbilical vein injection of a saline solution alone or with any uterotonic drug versus an alternative solution with or without any other uterotonic agent or expectant management or any other method for routine management of the third stage of labour, on maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 January 2012) and reference lists of retrieved studies.

Selection criteria: We included all randomised controlled trials comparing the effects of umbilical vein injection of a saline solution alone or with any uterotonic drug versus any other alternative methods.

Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently assessed the eligibility and trial quality. Two review authors extracted data. Data were checked for accuracy.

Main results: We included nine studies involving 1118 women.We identified four comparisons. One comparison included six studies (which randomised 394 women) comparing umbilical vein injection of normal saline plus oxytocin versus that of normal saline, as well as three other comparisons, each of which includes one study. Comparing intraumbilical injection of normal saline plus oxytocin with intraumbilical injection of saline only, there was no evidence of difference in any of the relevant outcomes reported namely the number of women who required blood transfusion, the incidence of manual removal of placenta, blood loss, and length of the third stage of labour. Subgroup analyses by both total amount of solution administered and dose of oxytocin showed no evidence of difference. Other comparisons included only one study for each, and there was no relevant information available.

Authors' conclusions: Routine use of oxytocin or any other uterotonics with normal saline via umbilical vein injection is not recommended until new evidence is available. Further research should be conducted to show effectiveness of oxytocin with normal saline via umbilical vein injection.

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Conflict of interest statement

None known.

Figures

1
1
Risk of bias graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies.
2
2
Risk of bias summary: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item for each included study.
1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1 Umbilical vein injection of saline solution plus oxytocin versus umbilical vein injection of saline solution (low‐risk women), Outcome 1 Blood transfusion.
1.2
1.2. Analysis
Comparison 1 Umbilical vein injection of saline solution plus oxytocin versus umbilical vein injection of saline solution (low‐risk women), Outcome 2 Manual removal of placenta.
1.3
1.3. Analysis
Comparison 1 Umbilical vein injection of saline solution plus oxytocin versus umbilical vein injection of saline solution (low‐risk women), Outcome 3 Blood loss (by oxytocin dose).
1.4
1.4. Analysis
Comparison 1 Umbilical vein injection of saline solution plus oxytocin versus umbilical vein injection of saline solution (low‐risk women), Outcome 4 Length of the third stage of labour (by dose).
1.5
1.5. Analysis
Comparison 1 Umbilical vein injection of saline solution plus oxytocin versus umbilical vein injection of saline solution (low‐risk women), Outcome 5 Blood loss (by total volume).
1.6
1.6. Analysis
Comparison 1 Umbilical vein injection of saline solution plus oxytocin versus umbilical vein injection of saline solution (low‐risk women), Outcome 6 Length of the third stage of labour (by total volume).
2.1
2.1. Analysis
Comparison 2 Umbilical vein injection of oxytocin only versus umbilical vein injection of placebo (water) after intravenous injection of uterotonic (low‐risk women), Outcome 1 Blood transfusion.
2.2
2.2. Analysis
Comparison 2 Umbilical vein injection of oxytocin only versus umbilical vein injection of placebo (water) after intravenous injection of uterotonic (low‐risk women), Outcome 2 Addition of therapeutic uterotonic.
2.3
2.3. Analysis
Comparison 2 Umbilical vein injection of oxytocin only versus umbilical vein injection of placebo (water) after intravenous injection of uterotonic (low‐risk women), Outcome 3 Blood loss (by oxytocin dose).
2.4
2.4. Analysis
Comparison 2 Umbilical vein injection of oxytocin only versus umbilical vein injection of placebo (water) after intravenous injection of uterotonic (low‐risk women), Outcome 4 Length of the third stage of labour (by dose).
2.5
2.5. Analysis
Comparison 2 Umbilical vein injection of oxytocin only versus umbilical vein injection of placebo (water) after intravenous injection of uterotonic (low‐risk women), Outcome 5 Nausea.
2.6
2.6. Analysis
Comparison 2 Umbilical vein injection of oxytocin only versus umbilical vein injection of placebo (water) after intravenous injection of uterotonic (low‐risk women), Outcome 6 Vomiting.
3.1
3.1. Analysis
Comparison 3 Umbilical vein injection of saline solution plus oxytocin versus intravenous injection of uterotonic (low‐risk women), Outcome 1 Blood transfusion.
3.2
3.2. Analysis
Comparison 3 Umbilical vein injection of saline solution plus oxytocin versus intravenous injection of uterotonic (low‐risk women), Outcome 2 Addition of therapeutic uterotonic.
4.1
4.1. Analysis
Comparison 4 Umbilical vein injection of saline solution plus oxytocin versus intramuscular/intravenous injection of uterotonic (high‐risk women), Outcome 1 Incidence of postpartum haemorrhage.
4.2
4.2. Analysis
Comparison 4 Umbilical vein injection of saline solution plus oxytocin versus intramuscular/intravenous injection of uterotonic (high‐risk women), Outcome 2 Nausea and vomiting.
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References

References to studies included in this review

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