"Cut umbilical cord milking (C-UCM) in preterm twin gestational births-a randomized controlled trial".

Abstract

Delayed cord clamping (DCC) is now the standard of care in singleton vigorous neonates. But consensus is lacking on the appropriate approach to placental transfusion in multifetal gestational births. In this study, we tried to determine the effect of cut umbilical cord milking (C-UCM) as compared to early cord clamping (ECC) on hematological and clinical hemodynamic parameters in preterm twin neonates of 30-37 weeks gestation. The primary outcome assessed was venous hematocrit (Hct) at 48 (± 4) h of postnatal age. Venous Hct at 6 weeks of age, mean blood pressure during the transitional period, significant neonatal morbidities, and possible sequelae were the significant secondary outcomes evaluated. In this single-center stratified randomized controlled trial, 84 pairs of twin births of 30-37 weeks gestation were allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either C-UCM (n = 84) or ECC (n = 84). For statistical analysis, unpaired Student t and Chi square or Fisher's exact test were used. The C-UCM group had a higher mean Hct at 48 h than the control group, 49.74 (4.463) vs. 41.11 (4.898), p < 0.0001. The mean Hct at 12 h and 6 weeks was also significantly greater in the milked group (p < .0001). Additionally, the milked arm had significantly higher mean blood pressure at 1, 6, and 48 h of life. Similar statistically significant differences were also observed in subgroup analysis (stratified according to gestational age of 30-34 weeks, 34-37 weeks). The groups did not differ significantly in terms of potential complications.

Conclusion: C-UCM raises the venous hematocrit and stabilizes initial blood pressure. For twin preterm neonates born between 30 and 37 weeks of gestation, it may be a useful placental transfusion technique. Further large multicentric studies are needed to fully establish its efficacy and safety.

Trial registration: CTRI/2024/01/061865; registration date January 25, 2024.

What is known: • DCC is the standard of care for singleton vigorous neonates, but no consensus exist for multifetal gestation. • C-UCM is feasible, but studies are lacking in the preterm multifetal population.

What is new: • C-UCM is an effective placental transfusion strategy in preterm neonates of 30-37 weeks born out of twin gestation. • C-UCM can serve as a substitute for DCC in multifetal gestation especially in low resource settings.