A clinical study of fetal outcome following early and delayed cord clamping in births associated with anemia in pregnancy

BACKGROUND: As there is a risk for infant anaemia, early cord clamping which is usually performed at 10-15 seconds of delivery was changed to delayed cord clamping for at least for 30 seconds Delayed cord clamping (DCC) increases the blood volume and haemoglobin levels in newborns and reduces risk of iron deficiency anaemia in both term and preterm infants.Early clamping allows cord blood collection in benefit for transplantation of stem cells. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: To compare levels of haemoglobin, hematocrit and serum ferritin at birth and 4 weeks of age in babies as well as neonatal outcome following early and delayed cord clamping in births associated with anaemia in pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: An observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Anaemic pregnant women with period of gestation 32-40 weeks admitted in labour room for delivery were enrolled. Intervention: Grouping of the patients was done according to the timing of the umbilical cord clamping. 1. Early cord clamping (< 60 seconds) 2. Delayed cord clamping (1 – 3 minutes) Of which 58 subjects were in ECC (early cord clamping)and 62 were in DCC (delayed cord clamping)group RESULTS: There was no significance of ECC or DCC in developing polycythemia, IVH or hyperbilirubinemia or increased need of blood transfusion. The levels of haemoglobin, hematocrit and ferritin levels were showing significant increased among DCC as compared to ECC CONCLUSION: Delayed cord clamping significantly increases the levels of haemoglobin, Serum ferritin and hematocrit at 4 weeks of age. It should be recommended in routine practice where it is not contraindicated especially in resource- poor settings.