The Relationship Between Placental Transfusion, and Thymic Size and Neonatal Morbidities in Premature Infants - A Randomized Control Tiral

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the effect of umbilical cord milking and early cord clamping on thymic size, and neonatal mortality and morbidity in preterm infants.

Methods: This single-center, prospective, double-blind, randomised controlled study was conducted at Baskent University, Konya Education and Research Centre, Konya, Turkey, between October 2015 and April 2016. Pregnant women who delivered before 32 weeks of gestation were randomised to receive umbilical cord milking (group 1) or early cord clamping (group 2). Ultrasonographic evaluation was performed in each newborn by an experienced radiologist within the first 24 hours of life. Thymic size was estimated in line with literature. SPSS 15 was used for all data analyses.

Results: There were 38 subjects in group 1 and 37 in group 2. There were as many infants in the two groups (p>0.05) The haemoglobin levels was higher in group 1, but not significantly (p=0.213). The absolute neutrophil count in group 1 was significantly lower (p=0.017) than group 2. In terms of neonatal mortaility and morbidity, there were no significant differences between the groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Umbilical cord milking was not associated with thymic size during the the first 24h of life.