Umbilical cord management strategies at cesarean section

Delayed umbilical cord clamping in elective and nonelective term Cesarean delivery

BACKGROUND

Delayed cord clamping (DCC) is recommended for preterm and term neonates, regardless of delivery mode. After impression of increased maternal blood loss following DCC implementation during Cesarean delivery (CD) concerns arose about maternal safety, particularly in term CDs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study by reviewing birth records from our tertiary hospital in Kuopio, Finland including 914 women with singleton term CD and recorded estimated blood loss. Early cord clamping (ECC) occurred from January 2016 to December 2019, while DCC (30-60 s) from January 2020 to December 2020. We evaluated maternal and neonatal outcomes for ECC vs. DCC and assessed severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) (≥1500 ml) and its potential clinical risk factors.

RESULTS

In total, 914 women were included (DCC N = 152; ECC N = 762). Estimated mean maternal blood loss showed no significant difference between DCC and ECC groups (697 ml vs. 750 ml, p < 0.96). Severe PPH was less frequent in the DCC group (4.6% vs. 10.5 %, p < 0.024). Neonatal outcomes were similar between groups. Multivariable analysis revealed that women with placenta previa (OR 5.63, p < 0.001), macrosomic neonate (OR 2.75, p < 0.001), and intrapartum infection (OR 2.00, p < 0.057) had an increased risk for severe PPH. Earlier CD was associated with less severe PPH (OR 0.36, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

DCC (30-60 s) during term CD did not increase maternal blood loss in singleton pregnancies and demonstrated no short-term adverse effects on neonates. Our findings support the general practice of DCC during both elective and nonelective term CD.

Comparing delayed cord clamping and umbilical cord milking during elective cesarean section for the neonatal outcome

Objectives

to compare between immediate cord clamping, delayed cord clamping, and umbilical cord milking and their effects on hemoglobin and bilirubin level in term infants in cesarean section.

Study design

A randomized clinical trial was conducted from November 2021 to June 2022, including 162 full term pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean section at EL-Shatby Maternity University Hospital. They were randomly assigned (1:1:1 ratio) either to immediate cord clamping just after delivery (Group 1) or delayed cord clamping for 30 s (Group 2) or umbilical cord milking 10 times for 10-15 s (Group 3). The primary outcome measures included hemoglobin and hematocrit levels of the newborn at birth and the secondary outcome was bilirubin level measurement at 72 h of life.

Results

one hundred sixty- two newborns were randomized into 3 groups, fifty-four cases in each, and were investigated on hemoglobin and hematocrit levels; five were lost to follow-up and one hundred fifty-seven were tested for bilirubin. Participants among groups had no significant difference regarding demographic and clinical characteristics, regarding the hemoglobin at birth it was significant higher in the umbilical cord milking group (Group 3) through all groups (14.91 ± 0.91 g/dl vs15.38 ± 0.74 g/dl vs 16.56 ± 1.03 g/dl, p value <0.001), regarding hematocrit level at birth it was significant in the umbilical cord milking group (Group 3) through all groups (44.71 ± 2.94 vs 46.48 ± 2.61 vs 49.74 ± 3.26, p value <0.001). On the other hand, bilirubin level after 72 h had no significant different through the 3 groups (8.80(IQR 4.50-17.20), vs 9.70(IQR3.50-14.70), vs 8.50(IQR 3.20-19.50), respectively p value= 0.348).

Conclusion

this study showed that umbilical cord milking 10 times for 10-15 s is more effective than delayed cord clamping for 30 s in enhancing hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in newborn delivered by cesarean section with no significant difference on bilirubin level in the newborn.

Umbilical cord milking-benefits and risks

The most common methods for providing additional placental blood to a newborn are delayed cord clamping (DCC) and umbilical cord milking (UCM). However, DCC carries the potential risk of hypothermia due to extended exposure to the cold environment in the operating room or delivery room, as well as a delay in performing resuscitation. As an alternative, umbilical cord milking (UCM) and delayed cord clamping with resuscitation (DCC-R) have been studied, as they allow for immediate resuscitation after birth. Given the relative ease of performing UCM compared to DCC-R, UCM is being strongly considered as a practical option in non-vigorous term and near-term neonates, as well as preterm neonates requiring immediate respiratory support. However, the safety profile of UCM, particularly in premature newborns, remains a concern. This review will highlight the currently known benefits and risks of umbilical cord milking and explore ongoing studies.

Effects of spontaneous first breath on placental transfusion in term neonates born by cesarean section: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The role of umbilical cord management in placental transfusion in cesarean section (CS) requires clarification. The spontaneous first breath may be more important than the timing of cord clamping for placental transfusion in neonates born by CS.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of cord clamping after the first spontaneous breath on placental transfusion in neonates born by CS.

METHODS

We recruited women with a live singleton pregnancy at ≥37.0 weeks of gestation admitted for CS. The interventions performed, such as physiologic-based cord clamping (PBCC), intact-umbilical cord milking (I-UCM), 30-s delay in cord clamping (30-s DCC), and 60-s delay in cord clamping (60-s DCC), were noted and placed in a sealed envelope. The sealed envelope was opened immediately before delivery to perform randomization.

RESULTS

A total of 123 infants were eligible for evaluation. Of these, 31, 30, 32, and 30 were assigned to the PBCC, I-UCM, 30-s DCC, and 60-s DCC groups, respectively. The mean hemoglobin (Hb) and mean hematocrit (Hct) were significantly higher in the 60-s DCC group than in the PBCC group (p = 0.028 and 0.019, respectively), but no difference was noted among the I-UCM, 30-s DCC, and PBCC groups at 36 h of age. Further, no significant differences were observed in the mean Hb and mean Hct among the I-UCM, 60-s DCC, and 30-s DCC groups. Peak total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels were higher in the 60-s DCC group than in the I-UCM and PBCC groups (p = 0.017), but there was no difference between the 60-s DCC and 30-s DCC groups during the first week of life. The phototherapy requirement was higher in 60-s DCC than in IUCM and 30-sDCC (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrated that PBCC, 30-s DCC, and I-UCM in neonates born by CS had no significant differences from each other on placental transfusion. The Hb and Hct in the neonates were higher after 60-s DCC than after PBCC.

Management of Placental Transfusion to Neonates After Delivery

This review summarizes high-quality evidence supporting delayed umbilical cord clamping to promote placental transfusion to preterm and term neonates. In preterm neonates, delayed cord clamping may decrease mortality and the need for blood transfusions. Although robust data are lacking to guide cord management strategies in many clinical scenarios, emerging literature is reviewed on numerous topics including delivery mode, twin gestations, maternal comorbidities (eg, gestational diabetes, red blood cell alloimmunization, human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2] infection) and neonatal complications (eg, fetal growth restriction, congenital heart disease, and the depressed neonate). Umbilical cord milking is an alternate method of rapid placental transfusion, but has been associated with severe intraventricular hemorrhage in extremely preterm neonates. Data on long-term outcomes are discussed, as well as potential contraindications to delayed cord clamping. Overall, delayed cord clamping offers potential benefits to the estimated 140 million neonates born globally every year, emphasizing the importance of this simple and no-cost strategy.

Effects of delayed cord clamping on neonatal jaundice, phototherapy and early hematological status in term cesarean section

Background

Delayed cord clamping in full-term neonates is widely recommended, while in practice, it is rarely implemented in cesarean section due to the fear of neonatal jaundice and excessive maternal blood loss. The optimal timing of cord clamping remains uncertain. This study was to fully evaluate the effects of delayed cord clamping on short-term hematological status and jaundice in term neonates delivered by cesarean section.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled 796 women, who were allocated into the early cord clamping group (n = 377) and the delayed cord clamping group (n = 419). The latter group was further divided into two subgroups (30–60 s, 61–120 s).

The outcomes were neonatal transcutaneous bilirubin levels on 0 to 5 days of life and the rate of phototherapy. For neonates who had blood tests on the first three days of life, their hemoglobin and hematocrit were compared among groups.

Results

Compared with the early cord clamping group, delayed cord clamping merely increased the transcutaneous bilirubin level of neonates on the day of birth rather than that on the following five days. The heel peripheral blood sample size of 1–3 days in the early cord clamping group was 61, 25 and 33, and in the delayed cord clamping group was 53, 46 and 32, respectively. Delayed cord clamping at 30–60 s resulted in the higher neonatal hemoglobin level on day 3 and an increased rate of neonatal polycythemia, without a higher rate of phototherapy. Delayed cord clamping beyond 60 s did not further improve hematological status in term neonates born by cesarean section.

Conclusion

In cesarean section, delayed cord clamping for 30–60 s improved the early hematological status of term neonates without the enhanced requirement of phototherapy for neonatal jaundice.