title: Rubber ring clamping of the umbilical cord: a randomized trial.
abstract: A randomized trial to compare two methods of umbilical cord tying in neonates, immediately after birth, was undertaken from February to April 1997 in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Zewditu Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In less than 3 months, we investigated 300 neonates, of whom 150 infants were randomly assigned to the traditional ligation of the umbilical cord (using a piece of thread) and the rest to a rubber ring clamping method. Among the former group, 13.3% (20/150) of the neonates bled from their umbilical cords which necessitated re-tying, whereas in the later group, there was no sign of haemorrhage or infection within 12 h of clamping. We suggest that the rubber ring method described is a superior procedure and can easily replace the traditional, cumbersome and time-consuming umbilical cord ligation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yekatit 12 Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Mekbib
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mengistu
mesh_terms: D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000601:surgery*