DELAYED CORD CLAMPING VERSUS UMBILICAL CORD MILKING IN TERM AND NEAR-TERM NEONATES - A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Objective: To compare the effect of delayed cord clamping(DCC) versus milking of umbilical cord (UCM) on initial hematocrit in term and near-term neonates.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 374 pregnant women of more than 34 weeks period of gestation. They were randomized into UCM group and DCC group. In UCM group, 119 underwent vaginal delivery and 68 underwent caesarean section. In DCC group, 117 underwent vaginal delivery and 70 underwent caesarean section.

Results: Mean hematocrit in cord sample was 47.02±7.13% in UCM group and 48.04±8.36% in DCC group and the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.21). Mean hematocrit at 30±6 hours was 54.48±5.84% in UCM group and 50.9±7.1 in DCC group and the difference was statistically significant(p=0.01). Requirement of phototherapy in UCM group was 18.18% and in DCC group was 19.25%(p=0.79). Rate of NICU admission was 2.67% in UCM group and 7.49% in DCC group(p=0.034).

Conclusion: UCM lead to significant increase in hematocrit levels without increasing the requirement of phototherapy and NICU admissions. Hence, UCM can be used as an alternative to DCC in both term and near-term neonates.