Delayed cord clamping was not associated with an increased risk of hyperbilirubinaemia on the day of birth or jaundice in the first 4 weeks.

AIM: Our aim was to investigate the effects of timing of cord clamping on the risk of hyperbilirubinaemia.

METHODS

We recruited 540 normal vaginal deliveries at the Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, from October 2 to November 21, 2014. They were randomised into two groups: 257/270 were cord clamped within 60 seconds and 209/270 after 180 seconds. Transcutaneous bilirubin was measured at discharge and 24 hours. At 4 weeks, 506 mothers were successfully contacted by phone, and the health status of the baby and their history of jaundice and treatment was recorded.

RESULTS

Based on transcutaneous bilirubin at discharge, 22/261 (8.4%) in the early group and 25/263 (9.5%) in the delayed group (P = 0.76) were at high risk of subsequent hyperbilirubinemia. At the 4-week follow-up, jaundice was reported in 13/253 (5.1%) in the early and 17/253 (6.7%) in the delayed group (P = 0.57) and 3/253 (1.2 %) of the early and 1/253 (0.4%) of the delayed group (P = 0.62) received treatment. All analyses were based on intention-to-treat.

CONCLUSION

Delayed cord clamping was not associated with an increased risk of hyperbilirubinaemia during the first day of life or risk of jaundice within 4 weeks compared with the early group.