title: Umbilical cord milking in term infants delivered by cesarean section: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study's objective was to compare hematocrit (Hct) levels at 36 to 48 h of age in term infants delivered by cesarean section exposed to immediate cord clamping or umbilical cord milking (UCM).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized controlled trial, 24 women scheduled for elective cesarean section were randomized to either immediate clamping (<10 s) or UCM (milked × 5 by the obstetrical provider) at birth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All subjects received their allocated intervention. The milking group had a smaller placental residual blood volume (13.2±5.6 vs 19.2±5.4 ml kg(-1), P=0.01) and higher Hct levels at 36 to 48 h (57.5±6.6 vs 50.0±6.4 %, P=0.01). Five infants (42%) in the immediate group had a Hct of ≤47%, indicative of anemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  UCM results in placental transfusion in term infants at the time of elective cesarean section with higher Hct levels at 36 to 48 h of age.
authors.affiliation: University of Rhode Island, College of Nursing, Kingston, RI, USA.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Erickson-Owens
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Mercer
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Oh
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000379:methods*; D003250:Constriction; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D006932:Hyperbilirubinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007565:Jaundice / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply; D011247:Pregnancy; D014469:Umbilical Arteries; D014470:Umbilical Cord