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Umbilical cord milking and hematological parameters in moderate to late preterm neonates: A randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effect of umbilical cord milking on hematological parameters at 6 weeks of age in late preterm neonates.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

A tertiary care center of Northern India during 2013-14.

Participants

200 moderate to late preterm neonates randomly allocated to early cord clamping or umbilical cord milking group (100 in each).

Intervention

In milking group, 25 cm length of cord was milked towards the baby thrice after separating (within 30 s) it from placenta.

Main outcome measures

Hemoglobin and serum ferritin at 6 weeks of age.

Results

Mean (SD) serum ferritin [428.9 (217.6) vs. 237.5 (118.6) ng/mL; P< 0.01] and hemoglobin [12.1 (1.5) vs. 10.4 (1.2) gm/dL; P<0.01] at 6 weeks were significantly higher in umbilical cord milking group. In early neonatal period, hemodynamic and hematological parameters were not significantly different. Higher incidence of jaundice with higher phototherapy rates (33% vs. 9%; P<0.01) were noted in umbilical cord milking group.

Conclusion

In preterm neonates, umbilical cord milking at birth enhances iron stores at 6 weeks of age. Higher phototherapy rates with this intervention are a matter of concern.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics, LLRM Medical College, Meerut, UP, India

    Bimlesh Kumar, Amit Upadhyay, Vijay Jaiswal, Payas Joshi & Kirti Dubey

  2. Department of Pediatrics, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

    Sunil Gothwal

Authors
  1. Bimlesh Kumar
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  2. Amit Upadhyay
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  3. Sunil Gothwal
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  4. Vijay Jaiswal
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  5. Payas Joshi
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  6. Kirti Dubey
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amit Upadhyay.

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Kumar, B., Upadhyay, A., Gothwal, S. et al. Umbilical cord milking and hematological parameters in moderate to late preterm neonates: A randomized controlled trial . Indian Pediatr 52, 753–757 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-015-0711-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-015-0711-1

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