Janine S. Rhoades

Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping at <32 Weeks' Gestation: Implementation and Outcomes

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the implementation of a delayed umbilical cord clamping (DCC) protocol for neonates <32 weeks. Secondarily, to evaluate the impact of DCC on maternal outcomes and on the ability to obtain umbilical cord blood gases. Study Design Retrospective cohort study from November 2014 to March 2016 of patients delivered by 316/7 weeks. In 2014, an institutional protocol for DCC at <32 weeks was implemented. We assessed adherence to the protocol and compared adverse maternal outcomes (utilizing a hemorrhage composite). We evaluated the impact of DCC on the ability to obtain adequate umbilical cord blood gas specimens. Results Of the 185 patients included in the study, 90 underwent DCC, and 72% of potentially eligible patients appropriately received DCC. There was no significant difference in the maternal hemorrhage composite outcome between DCC and immediate cord clamping (23.3 vs. 36.8%, adjusted odds ratio = 0.64, 95% confidence interval = 0.33, 1.26). There was also no significant difference in the ability to obtain a single or paired umbilical cord blood gas result. Conclusion Implementation of a DCC protocol for preterm neonates is feasible and was successful. We did not find an increase in maternal risk or a decrease in the ability to obtain umbilical cord blood gases following DCC.

Delayed cord clamping and inotrope use in preterm infants

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the impact of delayed cord clamping (DCC) on need for inotropic support and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP). Methods: This is a single-center, prospective case-control study of premature infants, born <32 weeks gestation, who underwent DCC in comparison to a matched control group who underwent immediate cord clamping (ICC). The primary outcomes were the differences in MABP and inotropic medication used over the first week of life. Secondary outcomes included the admission hemoglobin, need for blood transfusion, and rates of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Infants were matched on EGA, birth weight, sex, antenatal corticosteroid and magnesium exposure, and presence of chorioamnionitis. Results: Hundred and fifty-eight infants (DCC n = 79, ICC n = 79) were included. Demographic factors were similar between groups. DCC infants had a higher admission hemoglobin (p < .01), reduced incidence of high-grade IVH (p = .03), fewer median transfusions (p = .03), and were discharged at an earlier post-menstrual age (p = .04). When controlling for other factors, DCC was not associated with a reduction in inotrope use (p = .22) but was associated with a reduction in high-grade IVH (p = .01). There was no difference in MABP between the groups. Conclusions: DCC is not associated with a reduction in the use of inotropes or a difference in MABP.

Implementation and Outcomes of Universal Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping at Term

Objective To evaluate the implementation of an institutional protocol for universal delayed umbilical cord clamping (DCC) at term on maternal, neonatal, and umbilical cord blood gas outcomes. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of singleton term gestations from April through July 2017. On June 1, 2017, a protocol was implemented for DCC in all deliveries. Outcomes were compared between patients delivered prior to and those delivered after implementation. The primary outcome was postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Secondary outcomes were additional adverse maternal, neonatal, and umbilical cord blood gas outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders. Results Of 682 patients, 341 were delivered preprotocol and 341 were delivered postprotocol. After implementation, there was 91.8% adherence to the protocol. Overall, there was no significant difference in PPH between patients delivered preprotocol and those delivered postprotocol (8.2 vs. 13.2%; adjusted relative risk [aRR]: 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98‐1.51). There was a significant decrease in the ability to obtain paired arterial and venous umbilical cord blood gases from preprotocol to postprotocol (83 vs. 63.6%; aRR: 0.62 [95% CI: 0.50‐0.76]). There were no significant differences in abnormal umbilical cord blood gases or neonatal outcomes. Conclusion We did not find an increased risk of adverse outcomes associated with the widespread use of DCC.

Normal Cervical Effacement in Term Labor

Objective To estimate the natural history of cervical effacement in labor. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of term, vertex, singletons who reached 10 cm of cervical dilation from 2010 to 2014. Interval‐censored regression was used to estimate the median number of hours between changes in effacement (measured in centimeters of the residual cervix) and to estimate the median effacement at a given cervical dilation. Analysis was stratified by parity and labor type. Results In total, 7,319 patients were included. Multiparas had faster effacement from 1 cm to complete effacement than nulliparas, but nulliparas were significantly more effaced at each cervical dilation. Patients in spontaneous labor had faster effacement and were significantly more effaced at each centimeter of cervical dilation than those who were induced or augmented. Once active labor was established (>6 cm of cervical dilation), 95% of patients had an effacement of 1 cm or less. By 8 cm of cervical dilation, 50% of all patients were completely effaced. Conclusion There is a wide range in the normal length of time for the progression of cervical effacement. However, once a patient is in active labor, 95% of patients have effaced to 1 cm or less.

Defining and Managing Normal and Abnormal First Stage of Labor

Modern data have redefined the normal first stage of labor. Key differences include that the latent phase of labor is much slower than was previously thought and the transition from latent to active labor does not occur until about 6 cm of cervical dilatation, regardless of parity or whether labor was spontaneous or induced. Providers should have a low threshold to use one of the safe and effective interventions to manage abnormal progression in the first stage of labor, including oxytocin, internal tocodynamometry, and amniotomy.

Delivery Outcomes after Term Induction of Labor in Small-for-Gestational Age Fetuses

Objective The objective of this study was to estimate the delivery outcomes after induction of labor (IOL) at term in patients with small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) fetuses. Study Design A secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study of all term, singleton deliveries from 2010 to 2014. Patients who underwent an IOL for any indication were included. Delivery outcomes were compared between patients with and without SGA fetuses (defined as birth weight < 10th percentile for gestational age). Analysis was stratified by parity. Indication for cesarean was compared between the two groups for those who did not achieve vaginal delivery. Logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. Results Of 3,787 patients who underwent an IOL, 644 patients had SGA fetuses and 3,143 were included in the non‐SGA group. There was no significant difference in rate of successful vaginal delivery for patients with and without SGA fetuses (77.2 vs. 72.0% [adjusted odds ratio: 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.00–1.50]). Of the patients who were delivered by cesarean, women with SGA fetuses were more likely to undergo cesarean for nonreassuring fetal status and less likely for arrest disorders than women without an SGA fetus. Conclusion Term patients undergoing IOL with SGA fetuses are as likely to achieve a vaginal delivery as patients with non‐SGA fetuses.