Abstract: Objective · To investigate the impact of umbilical cord milking on hemoglobin, bilirubin and cardiac function in premature newborns, and the significance of prevention of anemia. Methods · A randomized controlled trial was performed in Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Shanghai Jiading July to November 2017 on neonates born<37 weeks. Preterm newborns were randomly assigned to umbilical cord compression group (experiment group, n41) and control group (cord clamping within 15 s without compression, n37). Clinical measures of the outcomes were measuredtranscutaneous oxygen saturation (TcSO2), hemoglobin at different periods, left heart function within 72 h, cranial ultrasound, transcutaneous bilirubin, the total time of phototherapy. Results · Hemoglobin values were significantly higher in the experiment group than those in the control group in vein at the first time (P0.008). Hemoglobin values were significantly higher in the experiment group than those in the control group 3-5 d, 8-11 d, and 14-18 d after birth (P<0.05). Four months after birth, hemoglobin in the experiment group was higher than that in the control group, but there was no significant difference (P0.075). There was no significant difference in the total time of phototherapy between the two groups (P0.849). There were no significant differences between the two groups on left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular short axis shortening score 72 h after birth (P>0.05). Conclusion · Umbilical cord milking can increase the hemoglobin level to premature infants and reduce the incidence of anemia at discharge, and it does not increase the risk of cardiac insufficiency and hyperbilirubinemia. This practice has been shown to be simple and safe.

Key words: umbilical cord milking, premature infant, hemoglobin, cardiac function, hyperbilirubinemia