Comparing umbilical cord milking and early cord clamping for preterm infants
Official title: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial of Umbilical Cord Milking Compared to Early Cord Clamping in Preterm Infants Who Are Non-vigorous at Birth
Run by Nemours Children's Clinic · NCT06240715 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if milking the umbilical cord instead of clamping it right away can help save the lives of preterm babies born between 30 and 34 weeks who need immediate care.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 0 Minutes to 10 Minutes |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 800 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Nemours Children's Clinic Academic / other |
| Locations | 9 sites (Belagavi, Karnataka and 8 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 1, 2024 |
| Main results expected | November 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | March 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06240715 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are non-vigorous preterm infants born between 30 and 34 weeks of gestation.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with congenital malformations, major chromosomal abnormalities, or those requiring specific interventions due to severe complications may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This multicenter, cluster-randomized, crossover trial aims to evaluate whether umbilical cord milking (UCM) can reduce in-hospital mortality in non-vigorous preterm infants born between 30 and 34 weeks of gestation compared to early cord clamping. The study will enroll approximately 800 preterm infants and will involve milking the intact cord four times before clamping. The hypothesis is that UCM, a low-tech intervention, may provide a beneficial alternative to early cord clamping, especially for infants requiring immediate resuscitation. The findings could potentially influence global guidelines for the management of preterm infants at birth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce mortality rates in preterm infants who require immediate resuscitation.
How similar studies have gone: While delayed cord clamping has shown success in reducing mortality, umbilical cord milking is a relatively novel approach that has not been extensively tested in randomized clinical trials.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Preterm infants born between 30 0/7 weeks to 34 6/7 weeks of gestation * Non-vigorous at birth Exclusion Criteria: * Infants with congenital malformation * Major chromosomal abnormalities * Complete placental abruption/cutting through the placenta at the time of delivery * Cord conditions (umbilical knots, inadequate cord length, cord rupture, non-reducible nuchal cord) * Mono-chorionic twins, * Twins with no information on amnion/chorion * Multiple gestation \>2
Where it's running
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Daga Memorial Woman and Children Hospital
Nagpur, Ms, India Recruiting -
Sawai Man Singh Medical College
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India Recruiting -
Osmania Medical College, Niloufer Hospital
Hyderabad, Telangana, India Recruiting -
KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed-to-be-University) Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College
Belagavi, Karnataka, India Not yet recruiting -
Government Medical College
Chandrapur, Maharashtra, India Not yet recruiting -
Indira Gandhi Government Medical College & Hospital
Nagpur, Maharashtra, India Not yet recruiting
Show 3 more locations
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Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital
Pune, Maharashtra, India Not yet recruiting -
Government Medical College and Hospital
Nagpur, Ms, India Not yet recruiting -
Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences/ Kasturba Hospital
Wardha, Ms, India Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Zubair H Aghai, MD
- Email: zaghai@nemours.org
- Phone: 215 955 6523
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.