2Uz. Dr., Başkent Üniversitesi Konya Araştırma Hastanesi, Göz Hastalıkları, Ankara, Türkiye
3Uz. Dr. Başkent Üniversitesi Konya Araştırma Hastanesi, Yenidoğan, Konya, Türkiye
4Uz. Dr., Başkent Üniversitesi Konya Araştırma Hastanesi, Kadın Hastalıkları ve Doğum, Konya, Türkiye Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between umbilical cord milking (UCM) and development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Methods: We included neonates (n =75) who were screened for ROP at a neonatal intensive care unit between October 2015 and April 2016 with a gestational age of<32 weeks and follow-up of 43 weeks post-delivery. The fi ndings were classifi ed according to the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity. We classifi ed infants into 2 subgroups: group A included patients who underwent UCM (n=38); group B included patients who did not undergo UCM (n=37), and the umbilical cord was clamped immediately after birth. A retrospective review of records was performed and statistical analyses were evaluated.
Results: Four patients in group A and 4 in group B were diagnosed with mild ROP disease, which then spontaneously regressed. One patient in group A and 2 patients in group B were diagnosed with stage 3 ROP and received laser photocoagulation treatment. None of the neonates were affected by more severe stages of ROP or required further surgical interventions. Analysis by chi-square test showed no signifi cant difference in development of ROP between the 2 groups (P=0.763).
Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to focus on the effect of UCM on development of ROP. Although we did not fi nd any signifi cant correlation, more neonates were required laser treatment in non-UCM group.
Keywords : Retinopathy of prematurity, umbilical cord milking, premature birth