J Perinatol. 2026 Jul 20. doi: 10.1038/s41372-026-02828-1. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Deferred cord clamping (DCC) with adequate ventilation improves cardiovascular transition and survival. Brief use of 100% oxygen during neonatal resuscitation may enhance ventilation and reduce pulmonary vascular resistance.
OBJECTIVE: Determine whether high oxygen (HI, 100%) versus low oxygen (LO, 30%) support during DCC affects postnatal hemodynamics in extremely preterm infants.
METHODS: In this double-blinded randomized sub-study, infants born at 23⁰-27⁶ weeks' gestation received respiratory support with HI or LO oxygen during 90 s of DCC. After cord clamping, all infants were managed per standard guidelines. An echocardiogram was performed within 12 postnatal hours to assess cardiac function.
RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of 110 infants (51 HI, 59 LO) were similar. Right ventricular output did not differ between groups (293 ± 105 vs 268 ± 71 ml/kg/min; p = 0.17), nor did additional measures of cardiac function.
CONCLUSIONS: Use of 100% oxygen during DCC did not adversely affect early transitional hemodynamics compared with 30% oxygen.
PMID:42477100 | DOI:10.1038/s41372-026-02828-1