EFFECTS OF UMBILICAL CORD MILKING ON HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN TERM NEONATES: A CASE CONTROL STUDY IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Delayed cord clamping (DCC) and Umbilical cord milking (UCM) are the two methods of placental transfusion. Bothinterventions improve hemoglobin, are safe with no risk of polycythemia and hyperbilirubinemia. UCM is benefi cial in situation were DCC is not feasible or contraindicated.Objectives. 1) Comparison of UCM and DCC on following hematological parameters in term neonates- Cord Hemoglobinat birth, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit and Bilirubin at 48 hours of life. 2) To compare Hb and ferritin levels of infants born withUCM to that of DCC at 6 weeks of age.Material and methods. A Prospective Case- Control Study. Newborns delivered by normal vaginal and elective lower segmentcesarean section underwent DCC. Neonates in whom DCC was not feasible underwent UCM. 56 neonates in each group were followed up to 6 weeks. Cord hemoglobin at birth, hemoglobin, hematocrit and bilirubin were sent at 48 hours, and during 6 weeks of life, Hb and serum ferritin was estimated in both groups and compared.Results: At 48 hours, mean hemoglobin is 18.75 and 19.38 g/dL, mean hematocrit is 52.20 and 53.94 %, and mean totalbilirubin is 11.56 and 10.39 mg/dL in the DCC and UCM groups, respectively. Mean hemoglobin at 6 weeks is 11.37 and 11.6 gm/dL and mean serum ferritin is 207.2 and 252.63 mcg/L in the DCC and UCM groups, respectively. No increase in the incidence of neonatal jaundice or polycythemia was observed in either group.Conclusion. Both the methods of placental transfusions DCC and UCM are equally eff ective and have comparable benefi ton hematological parameters in full term neonates at 48 hours of life and at 6 weeks of life.