Postpartum use of oxytocin and volume of placental transfusion: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether oxytocin administered before clamping the umbilical cord modifies the volume of placental transfusion. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. METHODS: Mothers of term infants born vigorous by vaginal delivery with informed consent provided in early labour were randomly assigned to oxytocin (10 IU) given intravenously within 15 s of birth (group 1) or after clamping the umbilical cord 3 min after delivery (group 2). Soon after birth, all infants were weighed using a 1 g precision scale and subsequently placed on the mother's abdomen or chest. At 3 min, in both groups, the cord was clamped and cut, and the weight was again obtained. The primary outcome (volume of placental transfusion) was estimated by the difference in weights. RESULTS: 144 patients were included. There were no differences in the primary outcome: infants in group 1 (n=70) gained a mean weight of 85.9 g (SD 48.3), and in group 2 (n=74) 86.7 g (SD 49.6) (p=0.92). No differences were found in secondary outcomes, including newborns' haematocrit and bilirubin concentrations and severe maternal postpartum haemorrhage. On the advice of the Data and Safety Monitoring Committee, the trial was stopped due to futility at 25% of the planned sample size. CONCLUSIONS: When umbilical cord clamping is delayed for 3 min, term newborn infants born vigorous receive a clinically significant placental transfusion which is not modified by the administration of intravenous oxytocin immediately after birth. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02618499.

Effect of gravity on volume of placental transfusion: a multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Delayed cord clamping allows for the passage of blood from the placenta to the baby and reduces the risk of iron deficiency in infancy. To hold the infant for more than 1 min at the level of the vagina (as is presently recommended), on the assumption that gravity affects the volume of placental transfusion, is cumbersome, might result in low compliance, and interferes with immediate contact of the infant with the mother. We aimed to assess whether gravity affects the volume of placental transfusion METHODS: We did a multicentre non-inferiority trial at three university-affiliated hospitals in Argentina. We obtained informed consent from healthy mothers with normal term pregnancies admitted early in labour. Vigorous babies born vaginally were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio by computer-generated blocks and sequentially numbered sealed opaque envelopes to be held for 2 min before clamping the umbilical cord, at the level of the vagina (introitus group) or on the mother's abdomen or chest (abdomen group). Newborn babies were weighed immediately after birth and after cord clamping. The primary outcome was the difference in weight (as a proxy of placental transfusion volume). The prespecified non-inferiority margin was 18 g (20%). We used t test and χ(2) test for group comparison, and used a multivariable linear regression analysis to control for covariables. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01497353. FINDINGS: Between Aug 1, 2011, and Aug 31, 2012, we allocated 274 newborn babies to the introitus group and 272 to the abdomen group. 77 newborn babies in the introitus group and 78 in the abdomen group were ineligible after randomisation (eg, caesarean section, forceps delivery, short umbilical cord or nuchal cord). Mean weight change was 56 g (SD 47, 95% CI 50-63) for 197 babies in the introitus group compared with 53 g (45, 46-59) for 194 babies in the abdomen group, supporting non-inferiority of the two approaches (difference 3 g, 95% CI -5.8 to 12.8; p=0.45). We did not note any serious adverse events during the study. INTERPRETATION: Position of the newborn baby before cord clamping does not seem to affect volume of placental transfusion. Mothers could safely be allowed to hold their baby on their abdomen or chest. This change in practice might increase obstetric compliance with the procedure, enhance maternal-infant bonding, and decrease iron deficiency in infancy. FUNDING: Foundation for Maternal and Child Health (FUNDASAMIN).

[Delivery room practices in infants born through meconium stained amniotic fluid: a national survey]. / Prácticas en la asistencia de niños nacidos con líquido amniótico meconial en la sala de partos: una encuesta nacional.

UNLABELLED: Based on the results of two large RCTs, guidelines from NRP/AAP, ILCOR, ACOG, and from Argentinean scientific societies for intrapartum and postpartum management of pregnancies with Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid (MSAF) have radically changed. However, there are no data as to current delivery room management of infants born through MSAF. OBJECTIVES: 1) To assess current delivery room approaches in infants born through MSAF in Argentina; 2) To evaluate the adherence to NRP/AAP recommendations among different centers. DESIGN/METHODS: A 20-question anonymous web-mail based survey was sent to 121 institutions with > or = 500 births a year. RESULTS: The response rate was 63% representing 182,540 deliveries/year (26% of the total number of births in the country). Among the surveyed institutions, 24% were located in the city of Buenos Aires and 72% were public hospitals. Although no longer recommended, the following procedures are frequently performed: 1) Oro-nasopharingeal suctioning of meconiumstained infants before the delivery of the shoulders: sometimes, 50% of centers; always, 7 %. 2) Routine tracheal suctioning in vigorous infants, 30%. 3) Glottis exposure under laryngoscopy, 13 % for thin-consistency MSAF and 43% for thick-consistency MSAF. On the contrary, and although strongly recommended, only 69% of depressed infants have tracheal suctioning before ventilation. Up to 7% of centers perform other non recommended procedures such as chest compression and pressure over the larynx, to avoid breathing, and gastric lavage. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of not being currently recommended, intrapartum suction and postnatal intubation and suction of vigorous infants with MSAF are commonly performed in Argentina while in depressed newborns the latter procedure is not always carried out. Our study confirms the frequent gaps observed between scientific evidence, guidelines and clinical practice.

Prácticas en la asistencia de niños nacidos con líquido amniótico meconial en la sala de partos: una encuesta nacional / Delivery room practices in infants born through meconium stained amniotic fluid: a national survery

Las guías de las sociedades científcas internacionales para asistencia intraparto y posparto de nacimiento con líquido amniótico meconial (LAM) cambiaron radicalmente en los últimos años en base a dos grandes estudios aleatorizados. En la Argentina no hay información acerca de las prácticas que se realizan en estos nacimientos. Objetivos: 1) Conocer qué prácticas se utilizan en la recepción de recién nacidos con antecedente de LAM. 2) Evaluar el grado de adherencia a las recomendaciones actuales. Material y métodos- Encuesta anónima vía internet a centros del país con mayor o igual 500 nacimientos anuales. Se contactaron 121 instituciones. Resultados: Respondieron 76/121 (63 por ciento) correspondientes a 182540 nacimientos anuales (26 por ciento del total de la Argentina). De las respuestas, 24 por ciento fueron de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y 72 por ciento de hospitales públicos. Se realizan frecuentemente los siguientes procedimientos no recomendados: 1) aspiración orofaríngea y nasofaríngea antes del desprendimiento de los hombros: en el 50 por ciento a veces y en el 7 por ciento siempre; 2) Aspiración endotraqueal de rutina en niños vigorosos, 30 por ciento de los centros; 3) laringoscopia de rutina para visualizar las cuerdas vocales en el 13 por ciento de LAM fluido y 31 por ciento de LAM espeso. Por el contrario, y a pesar de ser una recomendación formal, la aspiración endotraqueal de niños deprimidos antes de comenzar con la ventilación se realiza sólo en el 69 por ciento de los casos. Un 7 por ciento de los centros encuestados, realiza otros procedimientos no recomendados, como comprensión torácica y presión sobre la laringe para evitar que el niño respire y también el lavado gástrico. Conclusiones: La aspiración orofaríngea y nasofaríngea antes del desprendimiento de los hombros y la intubación y aspiración posnatal de niños vigorosos con LAM se realizan frecuentemente en la Argentina.

Prácticas en la asistencia de niños nacidos con líquido amniótico meconial en la sala de partos: una encuesta nacional / Delivery room practices in infants born through meconium stained amniotic fluid: a national survery

Las guías de las sociedades científcas internacionales para asistencia intraparto y posparto de nacimiento con líquido amniótico meconial (LAM) cambiaron radicalmente en los últimos años en base a dos grandes estudios aleatorizados. En la Argentina no hay información acerca de las prácticas que se realizan en estos nacimientos. Objetivos: 1) Conocer qué prácticas se utilizan en la recepción de recién nacidos con antecedente de LAM. 2) Evaluar el grado de adherencia a las recomendaciones actuales. Material y métodos- Encuesta anónima vía internet a centros del país con mayor o igual 500 nacimientos anuales. Se contactaron 121 instituciones. Resultados: Respondieron 76/121 (63 por ciento) correspondientes a 182540 nacimientos anuales (26 por ciento del total de la Argentina). De las respuestas, 24 por ciento fueron de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y 72 por ciento de hospitales públicos. Se realizan frecuentemente los siguientes procedimientos no recomendados: 1) aspiración orofaríngea y nasofaríngea antes del desprendimiento de los hombros: en el 50 por ciento a veces y en el 7 por ciento siempre; 2) Aspiración endotraqueal de rutina en niños vigorosos, 30 por ciento de los centros; 3) laringoscopia de rutina para visualizar las cuerdas vocales en el 13 por ciento de LAM fluido y 31 por ciento de LAM espeso. Por el contrario, y a pesar de ser una recomendación formal, la aspiración endotraqueal de niños deprimidos antes de comenzar con la ventilación se realiza sólo en el 69 por ciento de los casos. Un 7 por ciento de los centros encuestados, realiza otros procedimientos no recomendados, como comprensión torácica y presión sobre la laringe para evitar que el niño respire y también el lavado gástrico. Conclusiones: La aspiración orofaríngea y nasofaríngea antes del desprendimiento de los hombros y la intubación y aspiración posnatal de niños vigorosos con LAM se realizan frecuentemente en la Argentina.(AU)