Respiratory Distress Syndrome in the Newborn

CLAMPING of the umbilical cord prior to onset of the infant's respirations may be an important factor in pathogenesis of the respiratory distress syndrome. A similar concept was proposed by Brown1in 1957, although no supporting data were provided and none have since been recorded. The results in this study of 129 infants suggest an association between respiratory distress in the newborn and of the umbilical cord before the onset of respirations. By means of the Apgar2score and by the Silverman-Andersen3retraction score, infants were evaluated in two groups designated clamping and clamping. Both the Apgar score and the Silverman-Andersen score were determined in 119 infants. Of the remaining 10, only the Apgar score was estimated in 5 and only the Silverman-Andersen score in 5. A significant difference in symptoms and signs of respiratory distress was evident between the early and late