The Effect of Delayed Cord Clamping and Milking on the Amount of Stem Cells In Preterm

The Effect of Delayed Cord Clamping and Milking on the Amount of Endogenous Stem Cells In Preterm Infants

Stem cell therapies have been promising therapies in neonatal morbidities such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Although researchers showed those effects by several mechanisms including paracrine effect, regenerative and restorative effects, there is no obvious recommendations for the type of stem cells, dosage or the route of administration the cells. The usage of exogenous stem cells can be difficult due to technical issues in preterm infants.

In the presence of these data, the amount of endogenous stem cells passing through the cord to the infant may show differences in terms of delayed cord clamping and milking. Therefore the aim of this prospective randomized study is to determine the quantity of the stem cells according to delayed cord clamping or cord milking. We also aimed to evaluate the association between the number of stem cells and neonatal morbidities.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Infants born under 32 weeks of gestation
• Accepted to participate with informed consent
• History of healthy pregnancy
• Infants born and will be followed up at the study hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

• Congenital abnormalities
• Chromosomal abnormalities
• Declined to participate