The influence of delayed cord clamping and cord milking on inflammatory cytokines in umbilical vein and neonatal circulation.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the present study was to compare the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukins (IL) 1, 6, 8 and 10 in the umbilical cord and neonatal circulation among neonates with early and late cord clamping. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A consecutive series of 76 cases of uncomplicated pregnancy and an uneventful parturition was evaluated. In 40 cases, delayed cord clamping was used and in the remaining 36, early cord clamping was practiced. Blood samples were collected from the umbilical vein immediately after cord clamping and at 24 h from the median cubital or basilic vein of the neonate. RESULTS: Significant differences were noted in the hematocrit and hemoglobin levels at 24 h that favored delayed clamping. None of the evaluated markers of inflammation differ between the two groups. Spearman's rho revealed a significant correlation between umbilical cord TNF-α and TNF-α neonatal values at 24 h (r = 0.551, p = 0.022) in the early clamped group. Significant correlations were also noted between umbilical cord TNF-α and TNF-α neonatal values at 24 h (r = 0.728, p = 0.001), umbilical cord IL-10 and neonatal IL-10 at 24 h (r = 0.487, p = 0.047) and umbilical cord IL-1b and neonatal IL-1b at 24 h (r = 0.516, p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed cord clamping or cord milking does not alter the levels of inflammatory cytokines in cord blood and neonatal serum. Future studies should evaluate the impact of delayed cord clamping in selected high-risk pregnancies.