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Umbilical cord milking for neonates who are depressed at birth: a randomized trial of feasibility

Journal of Perinatology volume 38, pages 1190–1196 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of umbilical cord milking (UCM) in neonates who are depressed at birth.

Study design

This is a quasi-randomized, non-blinded, controlled trial on infants (≥35 weeks) who were depressed at birth. UCM (cord milked three times) was performed during the even months and the neonates born during the odd months were in the control group. Primary outcome was feasibility and safety.

Results

A total of 101 infants were enrolled (50 UCM group and 51 control group) between January 2015 and October 2016. UCM was performed in 95% of infants (59/62) who qualified to receive UCM. There were no significant differences in resuscitation delay, resuscitation efforts, and short-term outcomes between the two groups.

Conclusions

UCM is feasible for term and late preterm infants who are depressed at birth. A larger clinical trial is needed to evaluate long-term benefits of UCM in neonates with HIE.

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Author notes

  1. Meenakshi Girish

    Present address: Pediatrics, NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatrics, NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

    Meenakshi Girish, Rohinie Dhokane & Ashish Vaidya

  2. Pediatrics, Daga Memorial Women & Child Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

    Vinita Jain

  3. Pediatrics, Government Medical College, Latur, Maharashtra, India

    Shital B. Gondhali

  4. Pediatrics/Neonatology, Thomas Jefferson University/Nemours, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Zubair H. Aghai

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  1. Meenakshi Girish
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Correspondence to Meenakshi Girish.

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Girish, M., Jain, V., Dhokane, R. et al. Umbilical cord milking for neonates who are depressed at birth: a randomized trial of feasibility. J Perinatol 38, 1190–1196 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0161-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0161-4

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