When is the best time to clamp the umbilical cord after routine vaginal delivery?
Abstract
Sometime between 30 seconds and 2 minutes after delivery appears to be the best interval. In term infants, delayed clamping (waiting 1 or 2 minutes
or until the cord stops pulsating) improves
hemoglobin and ferritin levels, but slightly
increases the risk of neonatal jaundice requiring
phototherapy (strength of recommendation
[SOR]: A, meta-analysis). In preterm infants less than 37 weeks of age, cord clamping between 30 and
120 seconds after delivery reduces the need for blood transfusion (number needed to treat [NNT]=4) and frequency of intraventricular hemorrhage (NNT=8)
compared with clamping in less than 20 seconds (SOR: A, meta-analyses).
Part of
Citation
Journal of Family Practice, 60(5) 2011: 295-296.
Rights
OpenAccess.
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