Physiological-based cord clamping in very preterm infants: the Aeration, Breathing, Clamping 3 (ABC3) trial—study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial

  • Ronny Knol*
  • , Emma Brouwer
  • , Thomas van den Akker
  • , Philip L.J. DeKoninck
  • , Enrico Lopriore
  • , Wes Onland
  • , Marijn J. Vermeulen
  • , M. Elske van den Akker–van Marle
  • , Leti van Bodegom–Vos
  • , Willem P. de Boode
  • , Anton H. van Kaam
  • , Irwin K.M. Reiss
  • , Graeme R. Polglase
  • , G. Jeroen Hutten
  • , Sandra A. Prins
  • , Estelle E.M. Mulder
  • , Christian V. Hulzebos
  • , Sam J. van Sambeeck
  • , Mayke E. van der Putten
  • , Inge A. Zonnenberg
  • Stuart B. Hooper, Arjan B. te Pas
*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)
31 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: International guidelines recommend delayed umbilical cord clamping (DCC) up to 1 min in preterm infants, unless the condition of the infant requires immediate resuscitation. However, clamping the cord prior to lung aeration may severely limit circulatory adaptation resulting in a reduction in cardiac output and hypoxia. Delaying cord clamping until lung aeration and ventilation have been established (physiological-based cord clamping, PBCC) allows for an adequately established pulmonary circulation and results in a more stable circulatory transition. The decline in cardiac output following time-based delayed cord clamping (TBCC) may thus be avoided. We hypothesise that PBCC, compared to TBCC, results in a more stable transition in very preterm infants, leading to improved clinical outcomes. The primary objective is to compare the effect of PBCC on intact survival with TBCC. Methods: The Aeriation, Breathing, Clamping 3 (ABC3) trial is a multicentre randomised controlled clinical trial. In the interventional PBCC group, the umbilical cord is clamped after the infant is stabilised, defined as reaching heart rate > 100 bpm and SpO2 > 85% while using supplemental oxygen < 40%. In the control TBCC group, cord clamping is time based at 30–60 s. The primary outcome is survival without major cerebral and/or intestinal injury. Preterm infants born before 30 weeks of gestation are included after prenatal parental informed consent. The required sample size is 660 infants. Discussion: The findings of this trial will provide evidence for future clinical guidelines on optimal cord clamping management in very preterm infants at birth. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03808051. First registered on January 17, 2019.

Original languageEnglish
Article number838
JournalTrials
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The trial is funded by The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (project number 852001902). AtP is a recipient of an NWO innovational research incentives scheme (VIDI 91716428). RK received a grant from the Sophia Children’s Hospital Foundation (Rotterdam, S17-14). This project was sponsored by the Gisela Thier Fund (Leiden).

Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Physiological-based cord clamping in very preterm infants: the Aeration, Breathing, Clamping 3 (ABC3) trial—study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this