A newborn's "life line" - A review of umbilical cord management strategies.

Literature supporting various umbilical management strategies have increased substantially over the past decade. Delayed cord clamping and umbilical cord milking are increasing embraced by obstetricians and neonatologists, and multiple international governing bodies now endorse these practices. This review summarizes the benefits and limitations of the different umbilical cord management strategies for term, near-term, and preterm neonates. Additional studies are underway to elucidate the safety profile of these practices, long term outcomes, and variations within these strategies that could potentially augment the benefits.