Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Delayed versus Immediate Cord Clamping in Preterm Infants.
William Tarnow-Mordi1, Jonathan Morris1, Adrienne Kirby1
1From the National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney (W.T.-M., A. Kirby, K.R., L.A., R.B., S.F., V.G., A. Ghadge, W.H., A. Keech, L. Sebastian, J.S.), University of Sydney (J.M., N.E., M.F., D.I., M.J., M.K., H. Popat, H.L., D.O.), Royal North Shore Hospital (Y.C.), and University of New South Wales (K.L.), Sydney, Australian National University, Canberra (M.A.-L., G.R.), University of Queensland, Brisbane (P.C., H.L., M. Pritchard), James Cook University, Cairns (G.K.), University of Western Australia, Perth (A. Gill, J.N., K.S.), Flinders University, Adelaide (S.M.), Monash University (A.S., E.W.) and University of Melbourne (S.W.), Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg (A.W.), and University of Newcastle, Newcastle (K.W., P.F.), and University of Wollongong, Wollongong (I.W.) - all in Australia; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston (K.A., M.B., M. Pammi); Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan (S.A., L. Sheikh); Hôpital Antoine-Beclere, Clamart, France (D.L.); University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (L.D.); Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada (W.E.-N.); University of Auckland, Auckland (K.G.), and University of Otago, Dunedin (P.W., J.G., H. Patel) - both in New Zealand; University College London, London (N.M.), and Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital, Belfast (D.S.) - both in the United Kingdom; and University of Vermont, Burlington (R.S., L.Y.).
Delayed umbilical cord clamping in preterm infants did not reduce the combined risk of death or major morbidity compared to immediate clamping. This study provides crucial insights into optimal timing for preterm infant care.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Perinatal Research
- Obstetrics
Background:
- The optimal timing for umbilical cord clamping in preterm infants remains a critical question in neonatal care.
- Current practices vary, necessitating evidence-based guidelines for improved infant outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether delayed umbilical cord clamping (≥60 seconds) reduces the composite outcome of death or major morbidity in preterm infants (born before 30 weeks gestation) compared to immediate clamping (≤10 seconds).
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving fetuses of women delivering before 30 weeks gestation.
- Infants were assigned to either immediate or delayed cord clamping groups.
- The primary composite outcome included death or major morbidity by 36 weeks postmenstrual age, with intention-to-treat analysis.
Main Results:
- No significant difference was observed in the primary composite outcome between delayed (37.0%) and immediate clamping (37.2%) groups.
- While unadjusted analyses showed lower mortality in the delayed group, this was not significant after post hoc adjustment.
- No significant differences were found in the incidence of chronic lung disease or other major morbidities between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Delayed umbilical cord clamping does not appear to lower the combined incidence of death or major morbidity in preterm infants compared to immediate clamping.
- The findings suggest that immediate cord clamping is a viable option for preterm infants, with no significant increase in adverse outcomes.
- Further research may explore specific subgroups or alternative timing strategies for cord clamping in preterm neonates.
