Cut umbilical cord milking: an ineffective method of placental transfusion in preterm infants?

Abstract

Objective: To determine if umbilical cord milking performed on a cut umbilical cord segment increased the hemoglobin/hematocrit, with a reduction in the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage, need for blood transfusions, and pressor requirement in infants with <35-weeks gestation.Study design: This was a single center, observational study in the NICU. One-hundred-six neonates received cut umbilical cord milking and two hundred ninety seven served as historical controls.Result: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in hemoglobin/hematocrit, peak bilirubin values, the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage, need for blood transfusions, and the use of pressors.Conclusion: This is the first study using the cut umbilical cord milking technique that includes neonates with <35-weeks gestation. The procedure is safe but did not result in an increase in hemoglobin/hematocrit, nor did it reduce the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage, need for blood transfusions, and pressor use.