Effect of timing of umbilical cord clamping of term infants on maternal and neonatal outcomes

Abstract BackgroundPolicies for timing of cord clamping vary, with early cord clamping generally carried out in the first 60 seconds after birth, whereas later cord clamping usually involves clamping the umbilical cord more than one minute after the birth or when cord pulsation has ceased. The benefits and potential harms of each policy are debated. ObjectivesTo determine the effects of early cord clamping compared with late cord clamping after birth on maternal and neonatal outcomes Search methodsWe searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (13 February 2013). Selection criteriaRandomised controlled trials comparing early and late cord clamping. Data collection and analysisTwo review authors independently assessed trial eligibility and quality and extracted data. Main resultsWe included 15 trials involving a total of 3911 women and infant pairs. We judged the trials to have an overall moderate risk of bias.Maternal outcomes: No studies in this review reported on maternal death or on severe maternal morbidity. There were no significant differences between early versus late cord clamping groups for the primary outcome of severe postpartum haemorrhage (risk ratio (RR) 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65 to 1.65; five trials with data for 2066 women with a late clamping event rate (LCER) of ˜3.5%, I2 0%) or for postpartum haemorrhage of 500 mL or more (RR 1.17 95% CI 0.94 to 1.44; five trials, 2260 women with a LCER of ˜12%, I2 0%). There were ...
Source: Evidence-Based Child Health: A Cochrane Review Journal - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Intervention Review Source Type: research