Delayed cord clamping and blood flow in the superior vena cava in preterm infants: an observational study. Issue 6 (17th May 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meyer, Michael P; Mildenhall, Lindsay
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 97:Issue 6(2012)
• Page Start: F484
• Page End: F486
• Publication Date: 2011-05-17
• Subjects: Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Fetus -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920105
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.2010.199703
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-2998

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To determine if timing of cord clamping affects blood flow in the upper body, as measured by flow in the superior vena cava (SVC). Design: Observational study. Setting: Neonatal Unit, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. Patients: 30 preterm infants <30 weeks' gestational age. Intervention: Cord clamping was immediate in 17 infants and delayed by 30–45 s in 13. Results: Infants in the two groups did not differ significantly in terms of gestational age, gender or use of antenatal steroids. Median flow in the SVC in the first 24 h was significantly higher in the group with delayed clamping (median 91 ml/kg/min; IQR 81–101) compared with 52 ml/kg/min (IQR 42–100) in the immediate clamping group (p=0.028). Fewer infants in the delayed group had low flow (1 compared with 9; p=0.017). All three infants with intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) (of any grade) had low flow. Conclusions: Blood flow in the SVC was higher in infants where delayed cord clamping was performed. The relationship of IVH, low flow and timing of cord clamping requires further study.