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Effects of delayed cord clamping on neurodevelopment and infection at four months of age: a randomised trial
Author(s) -
Andersson Ola,
Domellöf Magnus,
Andersson Dan,
HellströmWestas Lena
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.12168
Subject(s) - medicine , umbilical cord , cord clamping , randomized controlled trial , cord , pediatrics , anesthesia , surgery , immunology
Abstract Aim To investigate the effect that delayed and early umbilical cord clamping have on neurodevelopment, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and symptoms of infection during the first 4 months of life. Methods Full‐term infants (n = 382) were randomised to delayed (≥180 sec) or early cord clamping (≤10 sec). The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) was used to assess neurodevelopment at 4 months. Immunoglobulin G was measured at birth, 2–3 days and 4 months. Parents recorded any symptoms indicating infection during the first 4 months of life. Results The total scores from the ASQ did not differ between groups. However, the delayed cord clamping (DCC) group had a higher mean ( SD ) score in the problem‐solving domain [55.3 (7.2) vs. 53.5 (8.2), p = 0.03] at 4 months and a lower mean ( SD ) score in the personal‐social domain [49.5 (9.3) vs. 51.8 (8.1), p = 0.01]. The IgG level was higher in the DCC group at 2–3 days (11.7 vs. 11.0 g/L, p = 0.004), but did not differ between the groups at 4 months. Symptoms of infection were comparable between the groups. Conclusion Delayed cord clamping did not affect overall neurodevelopment or symptoms of infection up to 4 months of age, but may have an impact on specific neurodevelopmental domains.