Does physiological-based cord clamping improve cerebral tissue oxygenation and perfusion in healthy term neonates? - A randomized controlled trial

• Main Authors: Bernhard Schwaberger (Author), Mirjam Ribitsch (Author), Gerhard Pichler (Author), Marlies Krainer (Author), Alexander Avian (Author), Nariae Baik-Schneditz (Author), Evelyn Ziehenberger (Author), Lukas Peter Mileder (Author), Johann Martensen (Author), Christian Mattersberger (Author), Christina Helene Wolfsberger (Author), Berndt Urlesberger (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A., 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2296-2360; 10.3389/fped.2022.1005947
• Keywords: timing of cord clamping; neonatal transition; cerebral tissue oxygenation (index); cerebral blood volume (CBV); newborn infant; near-infrared spectroscopy; Pediatrics; RJ1-570
• Source: Frontiers in Pediatrics, Vol 10 (2023)

ObjectivesTo evaluate cerebral tissue oxygenation index (cTOI) during neonatal transition in a group of healthy full-term neonates receiving either a physiological-based approach of deferred cord clamping (CC) after the onset of stable regular breathing (PBCC group) or a standard approach of time-based CC < 1 min (control group). Secondary aim was to evaluate changes in cerebral blood volume (ΔCBV), peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) in those neonates.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a randomized controlled trial (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02763436) including vaginally delivered healthy full-term neonates. Continuous measurements of cTOI and ΔCBV using near-infrared spectroscopy, and of SpO2 and HR using pulse oximetry were performed within the first 15 min after birth. Data of each minute of the PBCC group were compared to those of the control group.ResultsA total of 71 full-term neonates (PBCC: n = 35, control: n = 36) with a mean (SD) gestational age of 40.0 (1.0) weeks and a birth weight of 3,479 (424) grams were included. Median (IQR) time of CC was 275 (197-345) seconds and 58 (35-86) seconds in the PBCC and control group, respectively (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding cTOI (p = 0.319), ΔCBV (p = 0.814), SpO2 (p = 0.322) and HR (p = 0.878) during the first 15 min after birth.ConclusionThere were no significant differences in the course of cTOI as well as ΔCBV, SpO2 and HR during the first 15 min after birth in a group of healthy full-term neonates, who received either deferred CC after the onset of stable regular breathing or standard CC < 1 min. Thus, deferring CC ≥ 1 min following a physiological-based approach offers no benefits regarding cerebral tissue oxygenation and perfusion after uncomplicated vaginal delivery compared to a time-based CC approach.