Cord clamping time in spontaneously breathing preterm neonates in the first minutes after birth: impact on cerebral oxygenation - a prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse impact of delayed cord clamping (DCC60sec) on cerebral regional tissue oxygenation (crSO2) and fractional tissue oxygen extraction (cFTOE) in spontaneously breathing preterm neonates during the first 15 min after birth.

METHODS

Two-centre observational study, crSO2 and cFTOE was monitored in neonates with DCC60sec or early cord clamping (ECC < 30 s).

RESULTS

Seventy-six infants (birth weight and gestational age 1736 ± 508 g and 31.8 ± 2.5 weeks) were included. DCC was associated with lower initial crSO2 and higher cFTOE and lower initial Apgar-score and heart rate.

CONCLUSION

Attending practitioners should be aware that DCC might impact initial immediate transition in spontaneously breathing preterm neonates.