Early and Delayed Cord Clamping in Infants Born by 'Two-step' Vaginal Delivery

Placental transfusion supports an important blood transfer to the neonate, promoting a more stable and smooth transition from fetal to extra-uterine life with the potential to prevent iron deficiency in young children. Several studies have demonstrated that cord clamping timing is greatly relevant for facilitate placental transfusion, the transfer of extra blood from the placenta to the infant in the third stage of labor. Therefore, during natural 'two-step' delivery umbilical cord management may play a relevant role on blood passage to the neonate and it may affect neonatal hematological values and placental transfusion. The most effective way to manage umbilical cord in in 'two-step' delivery remains to be established.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of two different methods of umbilical cord management (Early Cord Clamping - ECC vs. Delayed Cord Clamping - DCC) on the placental transfusion, defined by in two-step delivery, by ∆ haematocrit (Hct) from arterial cord blood at birth and capillary blood at 48 h of age. Accounting for physiological body weight decrease. Secondary outcomes included contemporary estimate of blood gases, lactate, and glucose concentrations in arterial cord blood gas analysis.

This is a randomized clinical trial on the effect of different cord management newborns born by 'two-step' delivery. After obtaining parental consent, all mothers > 38 weeks' gestation will be assigned to either ECC or DCC group in a 1:1 ratio according to a randomized sequence generated by an opened, sealed, numbered, opaque envelope containing the cord clamping interventions allocation, ECC (at 1 minute) or DCC (at 3 minutes after delivery).