(1007) Is Umbilical Cord Milking a Safe Alternative in Preterm Infants? A Literature Review

The World Health Organization, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, The American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Neonatal Resuscitation Program are a sampling of the professional organizations worldwide that recommend delayed cord clamping  (DCC) of at least 30 to 60 seconds for all births, including preterm infants, unless the infant requires resuscitation. The transfer of residual placental blood improves the transition to extrauterine life, especially for preterm infants. Umbilical cord milking (UCM) has surfaced as a quicker alternative to DCC.  This subject matter has broad implications in diverse delivery settings worldwide as a possible safe and prompt alternative to accomplish the extrauterine-stabilizing placental transfusion in a birth scenario that cannot tolerate DCC. Current delivery attendants need to heed the growing body of evidence for UCM, understand its benefits and advocate for its use in appropriate birth scenarios.