EFFECT OF DELAYED CORD CLAMPING ON MATERNAL AND NEONATAL OUTCOME

Abstract

Objective: to determine the effect of delayed umbilical cord clamping on both maternal and neonatal outcomes,

Place and Duration: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Tertiary Care Hospital, from Jan 2024 to July 2024

Study Design: Quasi-experimental study

Methodology: A total of 250 women with uncomplicated term pregnancies were included. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: Group A underwent early cord clamping within 30 seconds after birth, and Group B will underwent delayed cord clamping at 2 to 3 minutes after delivery. Maternal outcomes such as blood loss and postpartum hemoglobin were recorded, while neonatal outcomes were including hemoglobin, hematocrit, and APGAR scores.

Results: The study included 250 women, evenly divided into two groups, with no significant difference in maternal age (p = 0.555), gestational age (p = 0.574), or mode of delivery (p = 0.206) between them. Neonates in the delayed cord clamping group had a significantly higher mean hemoglobin level (15.21 ± 1.09 g/dL) compared with the early clamping group (14.05 ± 1.13 g/dL), and higher hematocrit values (46.33 ± 4.05% vs. 41.66 ± 3.43%; p < 0.001 for both). Apgar scores at one and five minutes were similar between the groups, showing no statistical difference (p = 0.202 and p = 0.130). Maternal outcomes were also comparable, with similar mean blood loss (p = 0.901) and postpartum hemoglobin changes (p = 0.327), indicating that delayed cord clamping did not increase maternal risk while significantly improving neonatal hematologic outcomes.

Conclusion: The study concluded that delayed cord clamping is a safe and beneficial practice that enhances neonatal outcomes without adversely affecting the mother, supporting its wider adoption in routine obstetric care