Evaluation of Neonatal Hemoglobin after Delayed versus Immediate Cord Clamping

The timing of cord clamping after birth is an important factor affecting neonatal outcomes. Delayed cord clamping (DCC) (1–3 minutes) is used when urgent resuscitation is required, or to permit placental transfusion which raises the blood volume, hemoglobin and iron stores of the infant. The aim of the present study was to compare the hemoglobin levels of neonates post-delayed cord clamping versus immediate cord clamping. The study included a convenient sample of 100 full-term infants 24-hour post C-section (50 immediate cord clamping and 50 delayed cord clamping). Hematological analysis was performed for all infants including hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit values, white blood cells and platelets count. The DCC group infants obtained significantly higher concentration of hemoglobin than the ICC group infants. Moreover, the infants who belong to DCC group showed a significantly higher value of hematocrit than infants in ICC group. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of WBCs count or platelets count. DCC resulted in higher hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit values compared to ICC.