The Incubator
A weekly discussion about new evidence in neonatal care and the fascinating individuals who make this progress possible. Hosted by Dr. Ben Courchia and Dr. Daphna Yasova Barbeau.
The Incubator
#440 - 🔵 [PAS 2026] - Can Cord Milking Save Non-Vigorous Babies Who Can't Wait for Delayed Clamping?
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Dr. Zubair Aghai, neonatologist at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, presents results from one of the largest neonatal trials ever conducted — enrolling 3,448 late preterm and term infants across India to test whether umbilical cord milking in non-vigorous newborns reduces death or moderate-to-severe HIE. With over 100,000 deliveries screened and real-time data collected by research staff present at every delivery around the clock, the primary outcome showed no short-term harm from cord milking — and a secondary signal of reduced infection risk, possibly driven by the immunoglobulins transferred with the extra blood. He also explains why non-vigorous babies stand to gain the most from this simple ten-second intervention, and previews two-year neurodevelopmental follow-up data still to come.
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Enjoy!