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Effect of 40-cm segment umbilical cord milking on hemoglobin and serum ferritin at 6 months of age in full-term infants of anemic and non-anemic mothers

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the effect of early clamping and milking of a 40-cm umbilical cord LUCM (long umbilical cord and milking) on hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin concentrations at 6 months of age and to evaluate whether the effect is different in infants of anemic and non-anemic mothers.

Study design:

Eligible term-infants of anemic (maternal Hb<11.0 g dl−1) and non-anemic mothers (Hb 11.0 g dl−1) were randomized to LUCM or control groups (N=100 each). In the LUCM group, the umbilical cord was clamped at 40-cm length and milked. The control group had the cord clamped at 5 cm and not milked. Neonatal morbidities until discharge and Hb and serum ferritin at 6 months of age were compared. Effects in infants of anemic and non-anemic mothers were compared.

Result:

Compared with infants of non-anemic mothers, cord Hb was similar (14.50±1.90 g dl−1 vs 14.67±1.73 g dl−1), but cord ferritin lower (85.8±55.4 ng ml−1 vs 119.4±58.5 ng ml−1, P<0.01) in infants of anemic mothers. Mean Hb concentration at 6 months was 9.60±1.42 g dl−1 in the LUCM group and 9.07±1.10 g dl−1 in the control group (P=0.004). Mean serum-ferritin concentration at 6 months was 113.9±43.8 ng ml−1 in the LUCM group and 70.8±39.5 ng/ml in the control group (P<0.001). The effectiveness of LUCM did not vary with the maternal anemia status.

Conclusion:

Keeping the umbilical cord long and milking may be an effective method for improving Hb and iron stores at 6 months of age in term-infants.

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Correspondence to R Bora.

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Bora, R., Akhtar, S., Venkatasubramaniam, A. et al. Effect of 40-cm segment umbilical cord milking on hemoglobin and serum ferritin at 6 months of age in full-term infants of anemic and non-anemic mothers. J Perinatol 35, 832–836 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2015.92

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