Placental transfusion techniques
Jaundice
DCC means delaying cutting the umbilical cord after birth for 45 s. DCM-B is DCC for 45 s with an obstetrician then performing UCM on about 25 cm length of the cord three times, then cutting the umbilical cord. DCM-A is DCC for 45 s with the umbilical cord cut to around 25 cm length; after this, the pediatrician milks the umbilical cord toward the infant three times, and the cord is cut to standard. Digital clocks were used to time the procedure.During these interventions, infants born by cesarean section were placed on the maternal abdomen, and for those born by vaginal delivery, the obstetrician held the infant at the maternal vaginal level.After cutting the cord, the preterm infants were wrapped in a plastic bag and placed on a warm mattress under the radiant warmer. Neonatal resuscitation was decided by the attending physician at birth.All infants received our standard care. Our feeding protocol started when the infant had been stable for at least 24 h, then trophic feeds of 10–15 ml/kg/day were initiated for two days, and advanced in increments of 15–20 ml/kg/day. After the infant could tolerate 120 ml/kg/day of milk for two days at 12–14 days of age, a starter iron supplement of 4 mg/kg/day was given. In addition, an ultrasound brain screening was performed between 14 and 28 days of life by a pediatric radiologist who was blinded to the intervention. Jaundice was assessed using serum microbilirubin, and verification of hematocrit levels within one hour of birth was checked at 1