The Short and Long Term Consequences of Delayed Cord Clamping on Late Pre-Term Infants

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of delayed cord clamping on preterm infants. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the clinical data of 163 preterm infants with a gestational age of 34–36 weeks + 6 who were admitted to the neonatology department within 2 hours after birth. The blood routine examination indices within 2 hours and at 3–5 days after birth, the biochemical indices and arterial blood gas (ABG) indices within 2 hours after birth, and the hemoglobin level 5–6 months after birth were compared between the early cord clamping (ECC) group and the delayed cord clamping (DCC) group. RESULTS: Compared with the ECC group, the DCC group had significantly higher venous blood levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit within 2 hours and at 3–5 days after birth. The ABG bicarbonate (HCO(3)) level within 2 hours after birth was obviously higher in the DCC group than in the ECC group, and the ABG absolute base excess(BE) and lactate levels were lower in the DCC group than in the ECC group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of hypothermia, hypoglycemia, respiratory distress, septicemia, feeding intolerance, polycythemia, and hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy during hospitalization (P > 0.05). Compared with the ECC group, the DCC group had a significantly higher venous blood hemoglobin level 5–6 months after birth. The incidence of anemia in the DCC group was significantly lower than in the ECC group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Delayed cord clamping can significantly increase the hemoglobin levels of preterm infants at birth and at 5–6 months after birth and can improve the oxygen circulation supply to the organs of such infants. Therefore, delayed cord clamping can improve the prognosis of preterm infants.