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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2017 Mar;37(3):260-264.
doi: 10.1038/jp.2016.222. Epub 2016 Dec 8.

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

J S Mercer  1   2   3 , D A Erickson-Owens  1   3 , J Collins  3 , M O Barcelos  3 , A B Parker  3 , J F Padbury  2   3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

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

J S Mercer et al. J Perinatol. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

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References

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