Umbilical cord blood collection carry increased maternal bleeding risk during cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE

Concern has recently been raised over the issue of maternal bleeding during umbilical cord blood (UCB) collection. The risk of maternal hemorrhage and subsequent drop in maternal hemoglobin after UCB collection during elective cesarean section (CS) was assessed.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we have compared maternal hemoglobin drop after elective CS in women who choose to collect UCB vs. controls.

RESULTS

UCB collection during CS was associated with an increased drop in hemoglobin levels. Significantly more women who chose to collect UCB had drops in hemoglobin levels of >3 g/dL compared to control women (8.70 vs. 1.03%, respectively, p=0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrated an increased risk for maternal bleeding when UCB is collected in utero during a CS.