Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2024;121(5):547-552.
doi: 10.1159/000540667. Epub 2024 Aug 28.

Physiological-Based Cord Clamping: When the Baby Is Ready for Clamping

Arjan B Te Pas  1 , Ronny Knol  2 , Enrico Lopriore  1 , Thomas H van den Akker  3 , Stuart B Hooper  4
Affiliations
Review

Physiological-Based Cord Clamping: When the Baby Is Ready for Clamping

Arjan B Te Pas et al. Neonatology. 2024.

Abstract

Background: The timing of cord clamping has become a focal point for neonatal caregivers due to the promising outcomes associated with delayed cord clamping, which is a simple and cost-effective method to enhance the survival and well-being of preterm infants. While initially the rationale behind delaying clamping was to facilitate increased placental transfusion, research has unveiled additional hemodynamic benefits.

Summary: Experimental studies have demonstrated improved circulatory transition when clamping is postponed until the lungs are adequately aerated. This suggests that infants requiring assistance during the transition phase may benefit from stabilization while still attached to the cord. The Aeration, Breathing, and then Clamping (ABC) project aimed to translate these experimental findings into clinical practice.

Key message: In this review, we will discuss the insights gained and lessons learned from the project's implementation.

Keywords: Cord clamping; Newborn resuscitation; Respiration.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

References

    1. Downey CL, Bewley S. Historical perspectives on umbilical cord clamping and neonatal transition. J R Soc Med. 2012;105(8):325–9. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Raju TN, Singhal N. Optimal timing for clamping the umbilical cord after birth. Clin Perinatol. 2012;39(4):889–900. - PMC - PubMed
    1. McDonald SJ, Middleton P, Dowswell T, Morris PS. Effect of timing of umbilical cord clamping of term infants on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;2013:CD004074. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Yao AC, Moinian M, Lind J. Distribution of blood between infant and placenta after birth. Lancet. 1969;2(7626):871–3. - PubMed
    1. Yao AC, Lu T, Castellanos R, Matanic BP. Placental transfusion in the naturally born lamb. Life Sci. 1977;20(3):475–81. - PubMed