A hospital policy change toward delayed cord clamping is effective in improving hemoglobin levels and anemia status of 8-month-old Peruvian infants.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of a hospital policy change toward delayed cord clamping on infant hemoglobin (Hb) levels and anemia status at 4 and 8 months of age.

METHODS

A cohort of Peruvian mothers and infants, originating from a pre/post study investigating a change in hospital policy from early to delayed cord clamping, was followed until 8 months postpartum. Infant hemoglobin levels and anemia status were measured at 4 and 8 months postpartum.

RESULTS

Following the hospital policy change, adjusted mean infant Hb levels improved by 0.89 gdl(-1) [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.57-1.22] and anemia was significantly reduced (aOR = 0.38; 95% CI 0.19-0.78) at 8 months postpartum.

CONCLUSIONS

A hospital policy change toward delayed cord clamping is effective in improving Hb levels and the anemia status of 8-month-old infants. Prior to scaling-up this intervention, issues related to training, monitoring, safety, additional long-term benefits and specific local conditions should be investigated.