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Prone Positioning During Delayed Cord Clamping

Prone Positioning During Delayed Cord Clamping: A Randomized Control Pilot Study to Identify Optimal Neonatal Positioning During Delayed Cord Clamping

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05507424
Enrollment
89
Registered
2022-08-19
Start date
2022-08-09
Completion date
2028-08-31
Last updated
2025-10-03

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

Conditions

Delayed Cord Clamping

Keywords

Umbilical Cord Clamping, Preterm Birth, Delayed Cord Clamping (DCC)

Brief summary

Delayed cord clamping is a routine technique used in the delivery room. The baby remains attached to the umbilical cord and placenta for 30-60 seconds after birth to allow for maximal transfer of oxygen and blood to the newborn. This study seeks to determine the best position (on the back versus on the belly) for the newborn during the 30-60 seconds of delayed cord clamping.

Detailed description

This study is being done to see if placing babies on the stomach or the back during delayed cord clamping after birth will improve the outcomes of preterm babies. Studies have shown that in some instances, positioning on the belly may help newborns clear their respiratory secretions. Research has shown that preterm babies can have improved breathing and require less support when placed on the stomach (prone position) rather than the back (supine position). Currently there are no guidelines for the best position for neonates to be in while receiving delayed cord clamping. The investigators are hoping to complete a research study to determine if placing preterm babies on their stomachs during the time of delayed cord clamping will improve the breathing of preterm babies and reduce the need for additional oxygen support with a breathing tube (endotracheal intubation). Depending on the outcomes of the study, the investigators are hoping to determine which position results in better outcomes for babies in both the delivery room and in the neonatal intensive care unit. If the investigators are able to determine the optimal position in this study, the investigators hope to improve the outcomes for future babies that are born preterm by placing the baby in the optimal position during delayed cord clamping.

Interventions

PROCEDUREProne Positioning

Newborn will be prone position for 30-60 seconds during delayed umbilical cord clamping

Newborn will be supine position for 30-60 seconds during delayed umbilical cord clamping

Sponsors

West Penn Allegheny Health System
CollaboratorOTHER
Johns Hopkins University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Pregnant patient admitted for diagnosis that could result in a preterm delivery * Anticipated gestational age of delivery could be between 25w+0d - 29w+6d * Fetus without major anomalies or known genetic condition that could impact respiratory status or need for intubation at birth * Singleton or twin gestation * Neonate eligible for delayed cord clamping based on institutional protocol * Patient is able to understand study procedures and is willing and able to consent

Exclusion criteria

* Triplet or higher order gestation * Maternal or fetal/neonatal contraindication to delayed cord clamping * Major fetal anomaly that would be expected to impact delivery room intubation rates such as: * Major congenital cardiac defect (not isolated atrial septal defect/ventricular septal defect) * Significant fetal arrhythmia at the time of delivery * Fetal tumor * Renal anhydramnios (not isolated urinary tract dilation with normal fluid) * Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia * Heterotaxy * Moderate to severe ventriculomegaly or other major brain malformation (not mild isolated ventriculomegaly) * Airway obstruction * Underlying genetic disease that could impact respiratory function at delivery * Arthrogryposis (not apparently isolated clubbed foot) * Skeletal dysplasia * Pregnant patient is unable to understand study materials or is unwilling or unable to consent * Acute maternal obstetric emergency that precludes time or maternal focus for the consent process to take place

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of pre-term neonates that require endotracheal intubation30-60 seconds immediately after birth of the newbornTo determine if deliberate prone positioning of preterm neonates during delayed cord clamping reduces the need for endotracheal intubation in the delivery room.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026