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Resuscitating newborn infants with the umbilical cord intact- The Baby-Directed Umbilical Cord Cutting (Baby-DUCC) Trial

Resuscitation of term and near-term infants with the umbilical cord intact for improving physiological transition at birth- a randomised trial.

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ANZCTR
Registry ID
ACTRN12618000621213
Acronym
Baby-DUCC Physiology RCT
Enrollment
123
Registered
2018-04-20
Start date
2018-07-04
Completion date
2021-05-18
Last updated
2024-02-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Participants: In infants greater than or equal to 32 weeks gestational age at birth who require resuscitation at delivery, Intervention: Does establishing effective ventilation, either via PPV or effective spontaneous breathing, prior to umbilical cord clamping* versus Comparator: Standard care- immediate cord clamping followed by resuscitation Outcome: Result in a higher average heart rate between 60-120 after birth. *In the intervention arm (Baby-DUCC), infants that receive PPV will have umbilical cord clamping at least 1 minute after pedicap/neostat colour change, or at least 2 minutes after delivery, which ever time occurs last. Pedicap/neostat colour change indicates exhaled carbon dioxide levels are greater than or equal to 15mmHg, therefore, the lungs are aerated and pulmonary gas exchange has begun. If the infant is still receiving PPV at 5 minutes, the umbilical cord will be cut and the infant will be moved to the warming bed. If the infant requires respiratory support after birth, the infant will be randomised to Baby-DUCC (resuscitation prior to umbilical cord clamping) or the control arm (immediate cord clamping and the infant will be moved to the warming bed for resuscitation measures). If the infant is vigorous and does not need resuscitation, the infant will not be randomised and umbilical cord clamping will occur at least 2 minutes after birth, oxytocin administration will occur after umbilical cord clamping. In these vigorous infants, we aim to collect heart rate and SpO2 data in the first 10 minutes after birth.

Interventions

Establishment of ventilation, either via positive pressure ventilation or effective spontaneous breathing, prior to umbilical cord clamping, as detailed below. All infants will be assessed for the need for respiratory support after birth per Australian Neonatal Resuscitation guidelines by the paediatrician in attendance at the delivery. If the infant requires respiratory support after birth, the infant will be randomised to Baby-DUCC (resuscitation prior to umbilical cord clamping) or the control arm (immediate cord clamping and the infant will be moved to the warming bed for resuscitation measures). If the infant is vigorous and does not need resuscitation, the infant will not be randomised and umbilical cord clamping will occur at least 2 minutes after birth, oxytocin administration will occur after umbilical cord clamping. Infants must be randomised prior to 60 seconds after delivery to be included in the primary analysis. All monitoring initiated for the purpose of the study will be easily visible to the care team and can be used for evaluation of the infant. If the non-vigorous infant is randomised to Baby-DUCC, respiratory support will be provided using a portable respiratory support system located on a mobile pole equipped with a T-Piece, oxygen blender, and suction catheter. In a vaginal delivery, the infant will be placed on a portable mattress on the end of the bed. If the end of the bed has been removed (i.e. the mother is in stirrups for an instrumental delivery) then the mattress will be placed in a portable cot and positioned between the mother’s legs. If respiratory support is indicated, positive pressure ventilation or CPAP, can be provided the respiratory support pole. A disposal colorimetric exhaled carbon dioxide detector (pedicap or neostat) will be placed between the facemask and T-Piece. Colour change indicates exhaled carbon dioxide is greater than or equal to 15mmHg, and will be monitored by the researcher. If the infant receives PPV, umbilical cord clamping will be delayed until at least 60 seconds after colour change of the pedicap/neostat has occurred. If the infant receives CPAP only, umbilical cord clamping occurs at at least 2 minutes after delivery. The duration of respiratory support will be determined by the clinical team and will follow standard clinical practice. Oxytocin for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage will be administered after umbilical cord clamping. All interventions, including the provision of resuscitation, umbilical cord clamping and clinical decision making will be by the clinical team. The researcher will be responsible for the application of ECG leads and collection of monitoring data. The researcher will be available for medical assistance if requested by the clinical team. Deviations from adherence to the study protocol will be documented by researcher. A video camera will be focused on the monitor to verify accuracy of the recorded data (plethysmography wave form or QRS complex). Audio recording from the video camera or additional audio recorder will be used to verify accurately events during delivery, for example the timing of umbilical cord clamping, the time to initiate breathing, and the timing of pedicap/neostat colour change.

Sponsors

The Royal Women's Hospital
Lead SponsorHospital

Study design

Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All
Age
0 to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Infants greater than or equal to 32 weeks’ gestation, with a request for a paediatrician to attend the delivery for potential newborn distress, born at the participating centres, are eligible for inclusion. The intervention arm (Baby-DUCC) requires that maternal oxytocin administration will occur at between 2 and 5 minutes after delivery. Assessment of the need for early maternal oxytocin administration after delivery, and permission from the maternal care team prior to recruitment and enrolment is required.

Exclusion criteria

We will not approach expecting mothers of monochorionic twins and multiples of >2, fetuses with known congenital anomalies compromising cardiorespiratory transition after birth, including congenital diaphragmatic hernia, hydrops fetalis, cyanotic congenital heart defects, and airway anomalies that may compromise the ability to provide face mask PPV. If the maternal treatment team feels that the mother is at high risk for obstetric complications that may be exacerbated by the study intervention, and/or requires early oxytocin administration after delivery, they will not be approached for consent. Potential maternal obstetric complications that may meet criteria for exclusion from the study at the discretion of the maternal care team include abnormal placentation, suspected placental abruption, suspected uterine rupture, significant blood loss, and coagulopathy.

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ANZCTR · Data processed: Feb 12, 2026