Evaluation of ex-utero collection for umbilical cord blood banking: A randomized clinical trial comparing cord blood quality with the in-utero technique.
Nimet Ozbey, Elisenda Farssac, Sandra García Martínez et al.
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In 30 seconds
This prospective, unblinded randomized clinical trial compared ex-utero with standard in-utero umbilical cord blood collection among pregnant women at a Barcelona hospital and cord blood program. Of 129 randomized participants, 53 in-utero and 48 ex-utero collections were analyzed. Mean unit weight was 107.19 ± 29.51 g ex utero and 110.81 ± 29.62 g in utero, with a mean difference of -3.62 g (95% confidence interval [CI] -13.41; 6.16 g). The authors concluded that ex-utero collection was non-inferior for weight, with similar cellular measures and contamination rates.
Key findings
- Mean cord blood unit weight was 107.19 ± 29.51 g ex utero versus 110.81 ± 29.62 g in utero; mean difference -3.62 g (95% confidence interval [CI] -13.41; 6.16 g).
- The proportion of units below 85 g and the distribution across intended uses were comparable between collection methods.
- Total nucleated cell, red blood cell, hematocrit, and platelet counts did not differ significantly between methods.
- Bacterial cultures were positive in one sample in each group; 35 in-utero and 22 ex-utero samples were tested.
Why it matters
Cord blood collection timing may affect the feasibility of donation during birth. In this randomized comparison, collection after placental delivery produced units with similar weight and measured cellular composition to standard collection before placental delivery. These findings support consideration of an alternative collection workflow while keeping the study’s setting and measured outcomes in view.
What to keep in mind
The trial was unblinded and conducted at one hospital in collaboration with one cord blood program. Analyses included 101 collections after exclusions, and bacteriology was assessed in only 35 in-utero and 22 ex-utero samples.