Effects of Early and Delayed Cord Clamping on Haematocrit and Serum Bilirubin among Term Neonates at a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria

Background: The optimal timing for umbilical cord clamping, whether it is early cord clamping (ECC) immediately after birth or delayed cord clamping (DCC) done after a certain duration or cessation of cord pulsation, remains a topic of ongoing debate. The choice between these approaches has the pote...

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Main Authors: Ushakuma Michael Anenga, Terrumun Zaiyol Swende, Bernard Terkimbi Utoo, Faeren Dogoh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-04-01
Series:Nigerian Journal of Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/NJM.NJM_20_25
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author Ushakuma Michael Anenga
Terrumun Zaiyol Swende
Bernard Terkimbi Utoo
Faeren Dogoh
author_facet Ushakuma Michael Anenga
Terrumun Zaiyol Swende
Bernard Terkimbi Utoo
Faeren Dogoh
author_sort Ushakuma Michael Anenga
collection DOAJ
description Background: The optimal timing for umbilical cord clamping, whether it is early cord clamping (ECC) immediately after birth or delayed cord clamping (DCC) done after a certain duration or cessation of cord pulsation, remains a topic of ongoing debate. The choice between these approaches has the potential to impact neonatal outcomes. Aim: The study aimed at comparing the effects of early versus delayed umbilical cord clamping on neonatal haematocrits and serum bilirubin after a normal delivery. Methods: This randomised controlled trial involved 178 term babies and mother pairs randomised into the DCC group (A) and ECC group (B). Neonatal haematocrit was measured at 2 and 24 h of life and serum bilirubin at 24 h of life. Other outcomes included neonatal anaemia, polycythaemia, jaundice and maternal post-partum blood loss. Results: The neonatal haematocrit was significantly higher in babies with delayed compared ECC at two hour (P = 0.001) and 24 h after birth (P = 0.001). The mean serum total bilirubin 24 h after birth was significantly higher in babies with DCC (P = 0.001). The proportion of neonates with anaemia was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.088), likewise the incidence of polycythaemia (P = 0.146) and post-partum blood loss (P = 0.097). Conclusion: The study’s findings underscore the benefits of DCC, as it increased neonatal haematocrit levels without leading to adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes and hence should be considered for adoption as a policy in our environment.
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institution Kabale University
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language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
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spelling doaj-art-ddf4a762ca6a4cd0a212a4c2003f7c8f2025-08-20T03:36:23ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsNigerian Journal of Medicine1115-26132667-05262025-04-013429910510.4103/NJM.NJM_20_25Effects of Early and Delayed Cord Clamping on Haematocrit and Serum Bilirubin among Term Neonates at a Tertiary Hospital in North Central NigeriaUshakuma Michael AnengaTerrumun Zaiyol SwendeBernard Terkimbi UtooFaeren DogohBackground: The optimal timing for umbilical cord clamping, whether it is early cord clamping (ECC) immediately after birth or delayed cord clamping (DCC) done after a certain duration or cessation of cord pulsation, remains a topic of ongoing debate. The choice between these approaches has the potential to impact neonatal outcomes. Aim: The study aimed at comparing the effects of early versus delayed umbilical cord clamping on neonatal haematocrits and serum bilirubin after a normal delivery. Methods: This randomised controlled trial involved 178 term babies and mother pairs randomised into the DCC group (A) and ECC group (B). Neonatal haematocrit was measured at 2 and 24 h of life and serum bilirubin at 24 h of life. Other outcomes included neonatal anaemia, polycythaemia, jaundice and maternal post-partum blood loss. Results: The neonatal haematocrit was significantly higher in babies with delayed compared ECC at two hour (P = 0.001) and 24 h after birth (P = 0.001). The mean serum total bilirubin 24 h after birth was significantly higher in babies with DCC (P = 0.001). The proportion of neonates with anaemia was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.088), likewise the incidence of polycythaemia (P = 0.146) and post-partum blood loss (P = 0.097). Conclusion: The study’s findings underscore the benefits of DCC, as it increased neonatal haematocrit levels without leading to adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes and hence should be considered for adoption as a policy in our environment.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/NJM.NJM_20_25delayed cord clampingearly cord campinghaematocritserum bilirubinterm neonate
spellingShingle Ushakuma Michael Anenga
Terrumun Zaiyol Swende
Bernard Terkimbi Utoo
Faeren Dogoh
Effects of Early and Delayed Cord Clamping on Haematocrit and Serum Bilirubin among Term Neonates at a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria
Nigerian Journal of Medicine
delayed cord clamping
early cord camping
haematocrit
serum bilirubin
term neonate
title Effects of Early and Delayed Cord Clamping on Haematocrit and Serum Bilirubin among Term Neonates at a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria
title_full Effects of Early and Delayed Cord Clamping on Haematocrit and Serum Bilirubin among Term Neonates at a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria
title_fullStr Effects of Early and Delayed Cord Clamping on Haematocrit and Serum Bilirubin among Term Neonates at a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Early and Delayed Cord Clamping on Haematocrit and Serum Bilirubin among Term Neonates at a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria
title_short Effects of Early and Delayed Cord Clamping on Haematocrit and Serum Bilirubin among Term Neonates at a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria
title_sort effects of early and delayed cord clamping on haematocrit and serum bilirubin among term neonates at a tertiary hospital in north central nigeria
topic delayed cord clamping
early cord camping
haematocrit
serum bilirubin
term neonate
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/NJM.NJM_20_25
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