Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping

Abstract

The purpose of this research project was to look at the effect and assess the delaying of the umbilical cord clamping at birth. The articles obtained were from CINAHL and PubMed. The PICO question that gave results included: in neonates (greater than 34 weeks gestation), does delayed umbilical cord clamping, compared to early umbilical cord clamping, affect hematocrit/hemoglobin. This evidence-based practice of delayed cord clamping has been implemented in medical centers around the country and world as the beneficial effects has been shared through research and trials. Delayed umbilical cord clamping, as compared to early, has shown benefits including a decrease in mortality, an increase in the hemoglobin and hematocrit, and an overall increase in the baby's well-being, especially in pre-term infants. This research included data sources from randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews - meta analysis. The studies can be applied to a general population through the labor and delivery process. One specific finding of the research articles was the commonalities in relationship to hematological components related to delayed cord clamping. The intervention group saw a higher hematocrit and hemoglobin without increases in hyperbilirubinemia or symptomatic polycythemia. This leads to an increase in oxygen available to the newborn, which helps to increase the oxygen saturation and better perfuse the organs. The infant's vital signs will show an improvement including the cardiac output, heart rate, and blood pressure. Other findings included in the research were a decrease in mortality in infants and a higher APGAR score at birth. The delaying of the clamping caused a reduction of the incidence of blood transfusions, infection, and sepsis. Many of the benefits were documented later on in the infants' life. This included a lower incidence of anemia and iron deficiency. The selected studies gave collected data and reviewed bias related to delayed versus early umbilical cord clamping. The researchers saw many benefits through the subjects including improvement to the infant's health and development throughout their lifespan. The benefits included an increase in hemoglobin and hematocrit, a higher APGAR score, lower bilirubinemia, and lower incidence of hospital mortality. Delayed umbilical cord clamping has shown to be safe, beneficial, and is now being implemented in health care facilities around the world.

Description

Keywords

Umbilical cord, Infant, newborn, Hematocrit, Hospital mortality

Citation

Boller, S. & Young, S. (2019). Delayed umbilical cord clamping. Poster presented at the Provost Colloquium, Evidence-Based Practice Presentations, Bryan College of Health Sciences, Lincoln, NE.

DOI