Analysis of clinical course in term patients with early and delayed umbilical cord clamping after birth

BackgroundThe optimal time of cord clamping has been a subject of heated discussion. It has been reported that placental transfusion occurs primarily at 10 seconds after delivery, therefore immediate cord clamping may deprive the newborn of blood. Material and methodsTwo hundred term newborns born over a two-month period were divided into two groups: group A with immediate cord clamping and group B with clamping at 10 seconds after birth.ResultsAt least one morbidity event was recorded in 35% of patients in group A and in 8% of patients in group B.DiscussionThe time of delay was based on reports that 5% of circulating volume can be transfused at 10 seconds after birth without risk. Morbidity was higher in the group with immediate cord clamping than in the delayed clamping group.ConclusionsDelayed cord clamping is a safe procedure with beneficial effects for the newborn.