Effects of delayed cord clamping on residual placental blood volume, hemoglobin and bilirubin levels in term infants: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to measure the effects of a 5-min delay (DCC) versus immediate cord clamping (ICC) on residual placental blood volume (RPBV) at birth, and hemoglobin and serum bilirubin at 24 to 48 h of age.

STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 73 women with term (37 to 41 weeks) singleton fetuses were randomized to DCC (⩾5 min; n=37) or ICC (<20 s; n=36).

RESULTS: Maternal and infant demographics were not different between the groups. Mean cord clamping time was 303±121 (DCC) versus 23±59 (ICC) s (P<0.001) with 10 protocol violations. Cord milking was the proxy for DCC (n=11) when the provider could not wait. Infants randomized to DCC compared with ICC had significantly less RPBV (20.0 versus 30.8 ml kg-1 , P<0.001), higher hemoglobin levels (19.4 versus 17.8 g dl-1 , P=0.002) at 24 to 48 h, with no difference in bilirubin levels.

CONCLUSION: Term infants had early hematological advantage of DCC without increases in hyperbilirubinemia or symptomatic polycythemia.