Umbilical Cord Management in Late Preterm and Term Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to compare the effects of three different methods of umbilical cord management on hematological parameters in term and late-preterm infants.

Study design: A randomized controlled trial comparing intact-umbilical cord milking (I-UCM) with cut-umbilical cord milking (C-UCM) and immediate cord clamping (ICC) in neonates born >35 weeks' gestation.

Results: A total of 587 infants were evaluated. Of these, 197 were assigned to I-UCM, 190 to C-UCM, and 200 to ICC. Mean hemoglobin and hematocrit levels at 48 hours of age were higher in I-UCM group compared with the ICC group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.010, respectively).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that I-UCM is more beneficial choice. Further trials are needed to assess the various long- and short-term effects of different cord milking methods.

Key points: · This is the first study comparing these three methods (I-UCM, C-UCM, and ICC) concurrently.. · I-UCM is more beneficial choice.. · Although the terms I-UCM and C-UCM are often used interchangeably, these are different procedures..