Abstract 63

Aim: To investigate the effect of PFT on cerebral oxygenation in preterm infants by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)

Subjects: 39 preterm infants with a median gestational age of 30.4 weeks (range 33 0/7 - 25 2/7) weeks were randomised into a study group (n=15) or a control group (n=24). Interventions: The delivery of the babies of the study group was immediately followed by maternal administration of syntocinon, the baby was placed 15 cm below the placenta, and cord clamping was delayed 60-90 s. The control babies were conventionally delivered. At the age of 4 and 24 hours, cerebral hemoglobin concentrations, cerebral blood volume (CBV), and regional tissue oxygenation (rSat), was measured by NIRS.

Results: CBV was not different between the two groups neither at the age of 4 hours (6.1 (±0.3) ml/100g tissues vs 5.8 (±0.4) ml/100g tissue) nor at the age of 24 hours (6.2 (±0.4) ml/100g tissue vs 6.2 (±0.4) ml/100g tissue). Mean rSat of the study group was higher at the age of 4 hours (69.9 (±1.5 % vs 65.5 (±1.4) %*) and at the age of 24 hours (71.3 (±1.3) % vs 68.1 (±1.2) %*). *p< 0.05 by Mann Whitney -Test.

Conclusion: Delayed clamping of the umbilical cord improves cerebral oxygenation in the first 24 hours of preterm babies