Delayed Cord

Clamping
MADISON BOKROS, KAYLA DICKSON, SARAH OBRADAVICH,
AND MARISSA WIESEN
 In newborns, how does delayed cord clamping
(DCC) compare to immediate cord clamping
influence the health of the baby during the neonatal
period?

RESEARCH QUESTION:
  There has been thorough research that proves delayed
cord clamping of at least one minute can lead to better
Delayed vs. health outcomes on the neonate
 APGAR score
Immediate  Vital signs

cord clamping Oxygen saturation



 Anemia
 Serum lipid levels
Overall Assessment of the neonate
 The act of delayed cord clamping has
several positive effects on the life of the
newborn, allowing it to thrive at its fullest
potential.
 A baseline for the baby’s overall health can
be determined using the APGAR score.
 The test is based on a score of 1-10.
 Key components to the importance of a
baby’s development is built into its
assessment.
 Results showed that the scores were
“significantly higher” at each minute
mark within the delayed cord clamping
group.
 Vital Signs:
Cardiovascular
 Heart rate at birth determines whether the
neonate needs assistance during transition
from utero.
 Any heart rate above 100 bpm is
considered normal and ventilation
may be necessary when the HR is less
than 100 bpm.
 Overall, considering DCC a safe
practice that shows no harmful
effect on the newborn.
 Status of the infant’s cardiac output can
also be determined by their blood pressure.
 With delayed cord clamping; increase
of blood flow increases cardiac output
leading to stable blood pressure in the
neonate; preventing hypovolemia and
hypotension.
 Vital Signs:
Respiratory
Breathing is the first activity an infant is
introduced to after being separated from the
placenta which previously supplied the baby’s
oxygen.

The delayed group also established a regular

breathing pattern earlier than the other group.

Neonates took their first breathes sooner from

delayed cord clamping of at least 180
seconds.
Vital Signs:
Oxygen
Saturation
 Oxygen saturation levels are proven
to be higher with delayed cord
clamping in comparison to
immediate cord clamping.
 Through a randomized trial,
the oxygen levels of each baby
were taken at one, five, and ten
minutes after birth.
 The levels of oxygen
saturation were higher at
all intervals of the trial.
Anemia/Hemoglobin

 Milking of the umbilical cord is

beneficial to the newborn in terms of
higher hemoglobin levels.
 Hemoglobin is a protein in the blood that
transfers oxygen to vital organs and
tissues.
 Overall, study was shown to not show
benefit from delayed cord clamping in
comparison to milking the cord.
Iron levels

 Iron levels were also assessed in a study to identify if

delayed cord clamping was beneficial to the neonate.
 In comparison of the two, the iron level results were
taken when the neonates become infants at 3 months
old.
 Results showed iron levels were much higher in delayed
cord clamping and fewer infants had iron deficiency in
comparison to immediate cord clamping.
Hematocrit levels

 Delayed cord clamping vs.

Immediate in terms of hematocrit
levels has said to be beneficial with
no harmful effects on the neonate
and their mother.
 Hematocrit is the ratio of the volume
by packed red blood cells to the total
measurement of whole blood.
Serum Lipid Levels
The overall effect of delayed cord
clamping in regard to cord serum
lipids, total cholesterol, and total
triglycerides were significantly
lower in both the artery and the
vein blood samples.
A decrease in cord serum lipids
leads to an overall decrease of
oxidative stress on the neonate and
the mother.
Negative exertion on the fetus from
oxidative stress from the process of
labor itself and from its mother is a
consideration that will overall
impact the health of the neonate at
extrauterine life.
Conclusion
 Research supports that overall delayed cord clamping is more beneficial than
immediate cord clamping in newborns for the overall health status:
 APGAR scores
 Vital signs: heart rate, cardiac output, respirations, and oxygen saturations
 Hemoglobin and hematocrit
 Iron levels
 Lipid levels

 Only one study was inconclusive for which was more beneficial, delayed vs. immediate
cord clamping, was the study that concluded milking the umbilical cord resulted in
prevention of anemia in comparison of delayed cord clamping.
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