Effect of Early and Late Clamping of the Umbilical Cord on the Newborns Blood Analysis

Background: At the time of birth, the infant is still attached to the mother via the umbilical cord, which is a part of the placenta. The infant is usually separated from the placenta by clamping the cord. Timing of umbilical cord clamping has been and still is a highly controversial issue worldwide, the controversy about the best time to clamp the cord. The main aim of the study is to identify the effect of early and late cord clamping on newborns’ blood analysis.

Hypothesis: The researcher hypothesized that the delayed cord clamping (1-3 minutes) after birth will make a difference on newborns’ blood analysis.

The study design: A quasi experimental design was utilized in this study. Setting of the study: The study was conducted at the Dammam Maternity and Children Hospital, it is a Ministry of Health hospital with a higher delivery admission rate (25-3/day) according to the delivery room deputy nurse and hospital statistical records.

Study sample: The study comprised a total of selective sample of 100 women during their second stage of labor and their newborns were selected according to certain criteria.

Tools: Two tools developed and used by the researcher to collect the necessary data related to the study subjects as follows:

First tool (Maternal tool): An Interview questionnaire sheet contained the following parts: Part one, demographic data such as (age, occupational and education level.), Part two: Obstetrical history such as (gravidity, parity, last menstruation period and gestational age).

Second tool (Newborn tool): A newborn sheet contained the following parts: Part one: Early and late clamping record sheet which consists of date, time, mode of delivery and time of cord clamping (using a stopwatch). Part two: Complete new born blood count sheet to assess the level of C.B.C (Hb, RBCs, Hct and serum bilirubin and any complications or admission to the NICU) immediately and 24 hours after birth for both groups.

Methods: The necessary approvals from the ethical committee in Dammam University and General medical research committee in Saudi Arabia were obtained to collect the necessary data. Based on the present study findings, it can be illustrated that the delaying of the newborn’s umbilical cord clamping at birth (1-3 minutes) have an important effect on newborns’ hematologic status.

The delaying of the umbilical cord clamping 1-3 minutes after birth decreased the number of anemia cases. The study has shown that the hypothesis to be true and proved the effect of late cord clamping on the newborn’s blood analysis. Significant associations were observed between the time of cord clamping and the improvement of the hematological values of the newborns’ blood analysis.

Recommendations: According to the findings of the present study it is recommended to delay cord clamping and it should be the standardized practice and be supported by the Ministry of Health and hospital administration.

Author(s): Kholod Al-Ninia, Asma Ashmauey and Noura Al-Qahtani

Abstract | Full-Text | PDF

Share This Article