Effect of Delayed Cord Clamping at 30 Seconds and 1 Minute on Neonatal Hematocrit in Term Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of delayed cord clamping at 30 seconds and 1 minute on the incidence of neonatal hematocrit, anemia, maternal and neonatal complications in term cesarean delivered neonates.

METHODS

An opened labelled, randomized controlled trial was undertaken. The 160 healthy term cesarean-born neonates were randomly allocated to either 30 seconds or 1-minute groups of delayed cord clamping (DCC) (groups 1 and 2). Neonatal venous hematocrit (Hct) and microbilirubin (Mb) were measured at 48-72 hours after birth.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-nine neonates completed this study. Mean neonatal hematocrit ± standard deviation at 48-72 hours was 49.9 ± 6.0% in group 1 and 51.2 ± 5.9% in group 2 without a statistical difference. Neonatal anemia (Hct less than 45%) occurred in 14/79 neonates (17.7%) in group 1 and in 8/80 cases (10.0%) in group 2 without a significant difference between groups. The incidence of neonatal jaundice and polycythemia (hematocrit more than 65%) was similar between groups. There were no significant differences; in the estimated blood loss during the operation, the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage and other maternal and neonatal complications.

CONCLUSION

Neonatal hematocrit was not significantly different following DCC at 30 seconds and at 1 minute, but the incidence of neonatal anemia decreased with the longer timing of DCC. The estimated blood loss and other complications were not different between the two groups. Therefore, one minute-DCC should be considered for neonatal anemic prevention when compared with 30 seconds-DCC.