Delayed cord clamping in preterm infants delivered at 34 36 weeks' gestation: a randomised controlled trial. Periventricular/intraventricular haemorrhage and umbilical cord clamping. Findings and hypothesis. Delayed umbilical cord clamping in preterm infants: a feasibility study. A randomized clinical trial comparing immediate versus delayed clamping of the umbilical cord in preterm infants: short-term clinical and laboratory endpoints. Delayed cord clamping in very preterm infants reduces the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage and late-onset sepsis: a randomized, controlled trial. Two trials of antenatal thyrotrophin-releasing hormone for fetal maturation: stopping before the due date. Antenatal TRH Trial and the Thyroneth Trial Groups. The early effects of delayed cord clamping in term infants born to Libyan mothers. A randomised controlled trial of delayed cord clamping in very low birth weight preterm infants. Immediate and delayed cord clamping in infants born between 24 and 32 weeks: a pilot randomized controlled trial. The effect of indomethacin tocolysis in preterm labour on perinatal outcome: a randomised placebo-controlled trial.
Even mild iron deficiency and anaemia in infancy may be associated with cognitive deficits. A delay in clamping the cord improves haematocrit levels and results in greater vascular stability and less need for packed cell transfusions for anaemia in the first period after birth. Follow-up data on haemoglobin levels after the neonatal period were not available.
                To provide neonatal and follow-up data for the effects of early or delayed clamping of the cord.
                37 premature infants (gestational age 34 weeks, 0 days-36 weeks, 6 days) were randomly assigned to one of two groups in the first hour after birth, and at 10 weeks of age. In one group the umbilical cord was clamped within 30 seconds (mean (SD) 13.4 (5.6)) and in the other, it was clamped at 3 minutes after delivery. In the neonatal period blood glucose and haemoglobin levels were determined. At 10 weeks of age haemoglobin and ferritin levels were determined.
                The late cord-clamped group showed consistently higher haemoglobin levels than the early cord-clamped group, both at the age of 1 hour (mean (SD) 13.4 (1.9) mmol/l vs 11.1 (1.7) mmol/l), and at 10 weeks (6.7 (0.75) mmol/l vs 6.0 (0.65) mmol/l). No relationship between delayed clamping of the umbilical cord and pathological jaundice or polycythaemia was found.
                Immediate clamping of the umbilical cord should be discouraged. The timing of umbilical cord clamping in 38 women with preterm labour was randomly assigned. Ultrasonographic evidence of periventricular/intraventricular haemorrhage (PVH/IVH), assessed blindly, was found in 77% of the group clamped early compared with 35% of those in whom clamping of the cord was delayed for 1 minute. A hypothesis to explain the possible contribution of the haemodynamic events which accompany cord clamping to the development of PVH/IVH is presented. To assess: (i) the size of placental transfusion following a 30 s delay in cord clamping following vaginal and Caesarean births; and (ii) the feasibility of delaying cord clamping in the labour ward and particularly in the operating theatre.
                Fourty-six infants born at 26-33 weeks gestation were randomized to having the umbilical cord clamped either immediately or 30 s after birth. The venous haematocrit was measured at 1 and at 4 h of age.
                There were trends towards higher mean haematocrits in the infants following delayed clamping, but these were not significant either at 1 h (55 +/- 7.7 vs 52.9 +/- 7) or at 4 h of age (55 +/- 7 vs 52.5 +/- 7). The trends were more marked in the infants born by Caesarean section, and in those born at 26-29 weeks gestation.
                A 30 s delay in cord clamping is feasible at both vaginal and Caesarean births, but does not lead to the predicted difference in infant haematocrit. Although physiological studies suggest that a placental transfusion of 15-20 mL/kg occurs within 30 s of delivery, these data suggest that future trials should either delay cord clamping for more than 30 s, or should alter the position of the infant in relation to the uterus in order to facilitate the transfusion. Delayed cord clamping is feasible at Caesarean section. Most neonates less than 1.0 kg birth weight need red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. Delayed clamping of the umbilical cord 1 minute after delivery transfuses the neonate with autologous placental blood to expand blood volume and provide 60 percent more RBCs than after immediate clamping. This study compared hematologic and clinical effects of delayed versus immediate cord clamping.
                After parental consent, neonates not more than 36 weeks' gestation were randomly assigned to cord clamping immediately or at 1 minute after delivery. The primary endpoint was an increase in RBC volume/mass, per biotin labeling, after delayed clamping. Secondary endpoints were multiple clinical and laboratory comparisons over the first 28 days including Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology (SNAP).
                Problems with delayed clamping techniques prevented study of neonates of less than 30 weeks' gestation, and 105 neonates 30 to 36 weeks are reported. Circulating RBC volume/mass increased (p = 0.04) and weekly hematocrit (Hct) values were higher (p < 0.005) after delayed clamping. Higher Hct values did not lead to fewer RBC transfusions (p > or = 0.70). Apgar scores after birth and daily SNAP scores were not significantly different (p > or = 0.22). Requirements for mechanical ventilation with oxygen were similar. More (p = 0.03) neonates needed phototherapy after delayed clamping, but initial bilirubin levels and extent of phototherapy did not differ.
                Although a 1-minute delay in cord clamping significantly increased RBC volume/mass and Hct, clinical benefits were modest. Clinically significant adverse effects were not detected. Consider a 1-minute delay in cord clamping to increase RBC volume/mass and RBC iron, for neonates 30 to 36 weeks' gestation, who do not need immediate resuscitation. This study compared the effects of immediate (ICC) and delayed (DCC) cord clamping on very low birth weight (VLBW) infants on 2 primary variables: bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and suspected necrotizing enterocolitis (SNEC). Other outcome variables were late-onset sepsis (LOS) and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).
                This was a randomized, controlled unmasked trial in which women in labor with singleton fetuses <32 weeks' gestation were randomly assigned to ICC (cord clamped at 5-10 seconds) or DCC (30-45 seconds) groups. Women were excluded for the following reasons: their obstetrician refused to participate, major congenital anomalies, multiple gestations, intent to withhold care, severe maternal illnesses, placenta abruption or previa, or rapid delivery after admission.
                Seventy-two mother/infant pairs were randomized. Infants in the ICC and DCC groups weighed 1151 and 1175 g, and mean gestational ages were 28.2 and 28.3 weeks, respectively. Analyses revealed no difference in maternal and infant demographic, clinical, and safety variables. There were no differences in the incidence of our primary outcomes (BPD and suspected NEC). However, significant differences were found between the ICC and DCC groups in the rates of IVH and LOS. Two of the 23 male infants in the DCC group had IVH versus 8 of the 19 in the ICC group. No cases of sepsis occurred in the 23 boys in the DCC group, whereas 6 of the 19 boys in the ICC group had confirmed sepsis. There was a trend toward higher initial hematocrit in the infants in the DCC group.
                Delayed cord clamping seems to protect VLBW infants from IVH and LOS, especially for male infants. To determine whether the addition of antenatal thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) to corticosteroids, given to women at risk of preterm delivery, would decrease the risk of death and severe morbidity associated with prematurity.
                Two concurrent multicentre, double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trials were designed with a common core dataset to be analysed as a single large pragmatic trial.
                Hospital maternity units.
                Pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery who had been prescribed a course of corticosteroids to enhance fetal maturation.
                Antenatal administration of TRH 400 microg every eight hours for four doses versus matching placebo.
                Primary: death of the baby or chronic lung disease (defined as oxygen dependency at 28 days after birth). Secondary: other measures of respiratory morbidity, in particular respiratory distress syndrome. Other measures of short term neonatal morbidity including intraventricular haemorrhage and necrotising enterocolitis. Measures of maternal side effects.
                The antenatal TRH trial was halted early on the basis of external evidence. Overall a total of 225 women were recruited who delivered 275 babies. The primary outcome of death or chronic lung disease occurred in 33 babies in the TRH group and 43 babies in the placebo group (RR 0.8, 95% CI 0.5-1.2). There were no other differences between the two groups. Stratified analysis did not reveal any differences between the two groups depending on how long before the time of delivery the mother had received the TRH or placebo.
                These trials are too small to provide convincing evidence of the effect of antenatal TRH on neonatal outcome. When added to the existing systematic review and meta-analysis, however, these data should provide evidence on which subsequent practice can be based. The process by which the trials were monitored and stopped is of relevance to future trials. This study was conducted to evaluate the haematological effects of the timing of umbilical cord clamping in term infants 24 h after birth in Libya. Mother-infant pairs were randomly assigned to early cord clamping (within 10s after delivery) or delayed clamping (after the cord stopped pulsating). Maternal haematological status was assessed on admission in the delivery room. Infant haematological status was evaluated in cord blood and 24 h after birth. Bilirubin concentration was assessed at 24 h. 104 mother-infant pairs were randomized to delayed (n=58) or early cord clamping (n=46). At baseline the groups had similar demographic and biomedical characteristics, except for a difference in maternal haemoglobin, which was significantly higher in the early clamping group (11.7 g/dL, SD 1.3 g/dL versus 10.9 g/dL, SD 1.6 g/dL; P=0.0035). Twenty-four hours after delivery the mean infant haemoglobin level was significantly higher in the delayed clamping group (18.5 g/dL versus 17.1 g/dL; P=0.0005). No significant differences were found in clinical jaundice or plethora. Surprisingly, blood analysis showed that two babies in the early clamping group had total serum bilirubin levels (> 15 mg/dL) that necessitated phototherapy. There were no babies in the late clamping group who required phototherapy. Three infants in the delayed clamping group had polycythaemia without symptoms, for which no partial exchange transfusion was necessary. Delaying cord clamping until the pulsations stop increases the red cell mass in term infants. It is a safe, simple and low cost delivery procedure that should be incorporated in integrated programmes aimed at reducing iron deficiency anaemia in infants in developing countries. This study was carried out to assess the feasibility of late cord clamping of 45 s in preterm infants delivered mainly by caesarean section and the effects on postpartal adaptation and anaemia of prematurity. Prior to delivery, 40 infants of < 33 gestational weeks were randomised to either 20 s or 45 s of late cord clamping. After the first shoulder was delivered, oxytocin was given intravenously to the mother in order to enhance placento-fetal transfusion while the infant was held below the level of the placenta. The 20 infants in group 1 (20 s) had a mean birth weight of 1070 g and a mean gestational age of 29 + 4/7 weeks versus 1190 g and 30 weeks in group 2 (45 s). On day 42 of life there were ten infants without transfusions in group 2 versus three in group 1 (P < 0.05). Out of the 20 infants in group 1, 19 and 15/19 in group 2 were delivered by caesarean section. There were no significant differences in Apgar scores, temperature on admission, heart rate, blood pressure and requirements for artificial ventilation.
                Delayed cord clamping of 45 s is feasible and safe in preterm infants below 33 weeks of gestation. It is possible to perform the procedure at caesarean section deliveries and it should be performed whenever possible. It reduces the need for packed red cell transfusions during the first 6 weeks of life. This pilot study's aim was to establish feasibility of a protocol for delayed cord clamping (DCC) versus immediate cord clamping (ICC) at preterm birth and to examine its effects on initial blood pressure and other outcomes.
                A randomized controlled trial recruited 32 infants between 24 and 32 weeks. Immediately before delivery, mothers were randomized to ICC (cord clamped at 5 to 10 seconds) or DCC (30- to 45-second delay in cord clamping) groups.
                Intention-to-treat analyses revealed that the DCC group were more likely to have higher initial mean blood pressures (adjusted OR 3.4) and less likely to be discharged on oxygen (adjusted OR 8.6). DCC group infants had higher initial glucose levels (ICC=36 mg/dl, DCC=73.1 mg/dl; p=0.02).
                The research design is feasible. The immediate benefit of improved blood pressure was confirmed and other findings deserve consideration for further study. To determine whether indomethacin tocolysis in preterm labour is associated with a better perinatal outcome than placebo.
                A randomised placebo-controlled trial.
                Two university teaching hospitals with level three neonatal intensive care units.
                Women in preterm labour with intact membranes between 23 and 30 weeks of gestation.
                Random allocation to tocolysis with indomethacin (50 mg followed by 25 mg 6 hourly for 48 hours) or placebo in a double-blind fashion.
                The primary outcome, perinatal mortality or severe neonatal morbidity, was defined as perinatal death, necrotising enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular haemorrhage or peri-ventricular leucomalacia. Data were analysed using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).
                Between March 1995 and February 1996, 34 women (39 babies) were recruited. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. No patient was lost to follow up. In the indomethacin group, gestation was prolonged by > 48 hours in 13/16 (81%) of women vs 10/18 (56%) in the placebo group. The incidence of perinatal mortality or severe neonatal morbidity was not significantly different between the groups, but occurred in twice as many babies in the indomethacin group as in the placebo group--6/19 (32%) vs 3/20 (15%) OR (95% CI) 2.62 (0.44-18.8). There was one perinatal death, of a baby delivered at 24 weeks of gestation. This occurred in the indomethacin group.
                There is no evidence that indomethacin tocolysis is beneficial, and further trials are needed to assess the impact of indomethacin tocolysis in preterm labour.
Providing additional placental blood to the preterm baby by either delaying cord clamping for 30 to 120 seconds, rather than early clamping, seems to be associated with less need for transfusion, better circulatory stability, less intraventricular haemorrhage (all grades) and lower risk for necrotising enterocolitis. However, there were insufficient data for reliable conclusions about the comparative effects on any of the primary outcomes for this review.