Comparison of Umbilical Cord Milking and Delayed Cord Clamping in Term Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective of the study was to compare the effect of umbilical cord milking (UCM) and delayed cord clamping (DCC) on hematological parameters (serum ferritin & hemoglobin) at 6 weeks of life in term neonates. It was a Randomized Controlled Trail conducted at a teaching hospital in North India from August 2012 to August 2013. Babies born at > 36 weeks of gestation were randomized in two groups, UCM and DCC (100 in each group). Umbilical cord milking was done after cutting and clamping the cord at 25 cm from the umbilicus. In DCC group, clamping was delayed by 60 to 90 seconds before cutting the cord. The baseline characteristics were comparable in the two groups. Mean serum ferritin (134.0 [89.8]) ng/ml and mean hemoglobin (11.0[2.4]) gm/dl in umbilical cord milking group was comparable to mean serum ferritin (142.7[87.0]) ng/ml and hemoglobin (11.3[2.6]) gm/dl in DCC group at 6 weeks of age. There was no difference in hemodynamic status, cranial Doppler indices and adverse neonatal outcomes among the two groups.