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Delayed umbilical cord clamping in preterm infants: a feasibility study
M McDonnell1, D J Henderson-Smart
1Department of Neonatal Medicine, King George V Hospital, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Delaying umbilical cord clamping for 30 seconds after birth is feasible but did not significantly increase infant hematocrit. Further research is needed to optimize delayed cord clamping for placental transfusion.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal medicine
- Obstetrics
- Perinatal physiology
Background:
- Delayed umbilical cord clamping is proposed to increase placental transfusion.
- The optimal timing for delayed cord clamping requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the volume of placental transfusion after a 30-second delay in umbilical cord clamping.
- To assess the feasibility of delayed cord clamping in various birth settings.
Main Methods:
- Randomized trial of 46 infants (26-33 weeks gestation) with immediate vs. 30-second cord clamping.
- Venous hematocrit measured at 1 and 4 hours of age.
Main Results:
- Trends towards higher mean hematocrits in the delayed clamping group, but not statistically significant.
- More pronounced trends observed in infants born via Caesarean section and those born at 26-29 weeks gestation.
Conclusions:
- A 30-second delay in umbilical cord clamping is feasible for both vaginal and Caesarean births.
- The current 30-second delay did not result in a significant difference in infant hematocrit.
- Future studies should consider longer delays or altered infant positioning to enhance placental transfusion.