Hemodynamic effects of placental transfusion in term infants

Recommendations regarding the optimal timing of postnatal umbilical cord attachment have been different from the earliest ages. Immediately cord clamping (ICC) has become a routine in the management of the third phase of birth at modern medicine, but this is thought to be without a physiological basis. While ICC allows rapid resuscitation, placental transfusion methods provide positive hemodynamic contributions, especially in premature infants, which may reduce morbidity and mortality. Doppler ultrasound is a reliable method for evaluating cardiac output and vascular flow in newborns. However, it is not possible to perform haemodynamic evaluation by conventional methods because of open fetal pathways, especially during the early postnatal adaptation. Measurement of superior vena cava flow, which provides drainage of the upper body venous system (80% from the brain) is considered a good indicator of cerebral perfusion. It is not affected by fetal shunts and this characteristic makes it valuable to use during early postnatal adaptation period. In this study, we evaluated the effects of umbilical cord milking (UCM), which is a placental transfusion method, on hemodynamics of term babies. Our study group consisted of 150 term babies (74 males, 76 females). The UCM procedure was performed by milking from the mother to the baby at least 3 times (3-6 times) at a speed of about 10cm/sec at 20cm without clamping the umbilical cord, whereas the clamping in the non-UCM group (ICC) was performed within the first 10 seconds after birth. Images of SVC flow measurements were recorded by an experienced child cardiologist without randomization within the first 6 hours postpartum and then measurements were made by the same investigator over these images. Maternal and neonatal demographic characteristics of the patients in the study were similar. The SVC flow was 132,47 ± 37,04 ml/kg/min in the UCM group and 126,62 ± 34,35 ml/kg/min in the ICC group. Unsurprisingly SVC flow volume was higher in study group but not statistically significant. The experiences of the participating obstetricians were not at similar level about the UCM and this may have affected adversely about the statistical significance. We anticipate that studies with wider populations may change this situation.With this, contrary to premature infants, blood volume increase which obtained by placental transfusion may be compensated and a significant increase in SVC flow may be prevented together with the cerebral blood flow autoregulation. In conclusion, we have revealed normative values of SVC flow volume in the first six hours in healthy term babies and we have shown that placental transfusion methods increase these infants SVC flow volume, but not to a significant extent.