Different Placental Transfusion Strategies and Their Effects on Short - Term Hematological Parameters in Term Infants

Background: Deferring the umbilical cord clamping produces more satisfactory neurological and hematological outcomes. Another alternative for the deferred umbilical cord clamping is the umbilical cord milking. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate different placental transfusion techniques in terms of hematological parameters for term neonates. Methods: This observational study included 120 term infants assigned to groups of deferred cord clamping for 60 seconds (DCC), cut cord milking for four times with a speed of 10 cm/second (CCM), intact cord milking for four times (ICM), and a historical control group of immediate cord clamping (ICC). The primary outcome of this study was hematological parameters at birth and 24th hours. Hyperbilirubinemia, polycythemia, or respiratory distress were secondary outcomes. Results: The median gestational ages and birth weights of neonates were 39 (37 - 40) weeks and 3270 (2365 - 4850) grams, respectively. Umbilical cord hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) levels were significantly higher in the ICM group (P < 0.01). Hemoglobin and Hct levels at 24th hours of life were similar in DCC, CCM, and ICM groups and significantly higher than those in the ICC group (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found among the groups in terms of hyperbilirubinemia, polycythemia, and respiratory distress. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study was one of the most comprehensive studies evaluating the effects of different placental transfusion strategies on hematological parameters in term infants and the first study exploring intact cord milking in term infants. Intact cord milking was suggested to be associated with higher hemoglobin levels at birth. All DCC, ICM, and CCM techniques were found to be more effective than ICC in terms of early hematological parameters.