Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Umbilical Cord Milking and Hematological Parameters in Moderate to Late Preterm Neonates: A Randomized Controlled
Bimlesh Kumar1, Amit Upadhyay, Sunil Gothwal
1Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics, LLRM Medical College, Meerut, UP; and *Department of Pediatrics, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan; India. Correspondence to: Dr Amit Upadhyay, Department of Pediatrics, LLRM Medical College, Meerut, India. au.llrm@gmail.com.
Objective:
To investigate the effect of umbilical cord milking on hematological parameters at 6 weeks of age in late preterm neonates.
Design:
Randomized controlled trial.
Setting:
A tertiary care center of Northern India during 2013-14.
Participants:
200 moderate to late preterm neonates randomly allocated to early cord clamping or umbilical cord milking group (100 in each).
Intervention:
In milking group, 25 cm length of cord was milked towards the baby thrice after separating (within 30 s) it from placenta.
Main Outcome Measures:
Hemoglobin and serum ferritin at 6 weeks of age.
Results:
Mean (SD) serum ferritin [428.9 (217.6) vs. 237.5 (118.6) ng/mL; P< 0.01] and hemoglobin [12.1 (1.5) vs. 10.4 (1.2) gm/dL; P<0.01] at 6 weeks were significantly higher in umbilical cord milking group. In early neonatal period, hemodynamic and hematological parameters were not significantly different. Higher incidence of jaundice with higher phototherapy rates (33% vs. 9%; P<0.01) were noted in umbilical cord milking group.
Conclusions:
In preterm neonates, umbilical cord milking at birth enhances iron stores at 6 weeks of age. Higher phototherapy rates with this intervention are a matter of concern.
