Abstract: Background: The umbilical cord is usually clamped immediately after birth. There is no sound evidence
to support this approach, which might deprive the newborn of some benefits such as an increase in iron storage.
however, there is very little evidence to suggest that the timing of cord clamping and cutting has an impact on the
incidence of postpartum hemorrhage and other maternal outcomes. Design: This study utilized an experimental
research design to identify the effect of early versus late cord clamping at of term infants on the maternal and
neonatal outcomes. Setting: The study was conducted at labor & delivery units EL-Minia University hospital,
Egypt. Methodology: A total sample of 100 parturient and their newborns comprised the study sample after gaining
the mothers’ acceptance. They were equally divided and randomly assigned to two homogenous groups according to
the time of cutting their newborn cord. Early cord clamping group (at < 1 min.) and late cord clamping group (at 1
to 3min.). Two tools were used for data collection namely: A structured interview questionnaire for assessing
sociodemographic and obstetrical data and assessment tool for assessing maternal and neonatal haematological
parameters and outcomes. Results: The findings of the present study were equivalent among both groups regards the
mean maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit level, maternal blood loss, postpartum hemorrhage. For neonatal
outcomes, the neonatal hematologic parameters were comparable and slightly elevated hematocrit and hemoglobin
level among late cord clamping group compared to early group with no significant differences at birth and
significant difference was observed at 24 hours later. This elevation was within the prespecified physiologic range.
The prevalence of newborn with a hematocrit level of <45% at birth and after 24 hours was slightly higher among
the early cord clamping group compared to late cord clamping with no significant differences. There were no
significant differences in other neonatal and maternal outcomes. Conclusion: Delaying clamping of the cord for
more than one minute to three minutes seems not to increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. In addition, late
cord clamping can be advantageous for the infant by improving hematological values especially the status which
may be of clinical value particularly in developing countries where infants access to good nutrition is poor.
[Eman R Ahmad, Sahar A Aly and Kamal M. Zahran. Effect of Early Versus Late Umbilical Cord Clamping of
Term Infants on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes.