Does the timing of umbilical cord clamping at delivery affect an infant’s long-term iron status?

Andersson and colleagues begin their published report by explaining the importance of adequate iron status to child development, particularly neurodevelopment. As they note, “Young children are at particular risk of iron deficiency because of high iron requirements during rapid growth in combination with low iron intake.” The investigators also point out that the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia (3%–7%) and iron deficiency (as high as 26%) among young children in Europe, where this study was conducted, has troubling implications. Iron-deficiency anemia, in particular, may produce enduring cognitive and behavioral deficits.

This is the first randomized, controlled trial to explore the timing of umbilical cord clamping in a high-income country. Earlier studies in low- and middle-income populations have found that delayed cord clamping leads to an increased serum level of ferritin at 3 to 6 months of age.^1-5

The rationale for late clamping

Delayed clamping allows for placental transfusion of almost one third of the infant’s blood volume. Infants need the iron in all their red blood cells (RBCs)—circulating systemically and in the placenta—to guard against iron deficiency in the first few months of life. This need is unrelated to the mother’s health, iron status, and socioeconomic station.

Without the full quota of RBCs, an infant’s iron stores—reflected most accurately by ferritin levels at 4 to 6 months of age—will be suboptimal. Early clamping deprives newborns of RBCs remaining in the placenta and the iron they contain, which is essential for the development of the hematopoietic and central nervous systems.

The standard routine of administering oxytocin with early cord clamping, followed by controlled cord traction, was introduced as part of the active management of the third stage of labor. Until recently, there were no randomized, controlled trials demonstrating how early clamping disadvantaged the infant.

Details of the trial

The trial was conducted in a Swedish county hospital in an affluent, high-income population. Four hundred full-term, singleton infants, born after low-risk pregnancy, were randomized to early or late cord clamping.

Intravenous oxytocin (10 IU) was given immediately after the cord was clamped. The time from full delivery of the baby to the start of cord clamping was measured by an assistant to the midwife.

Blood samples were taken from the newborns 48 to 72 hours after delivery and again at 4 months of age.

A clear benefit from delayed clamping

The infants’ hemoglobin concentration and packed RBC volume were higher 2 days after delivery in the delayed-clamping group, compared with early clamping, and this translated into improved iron stores at the 4-month follow-up. Specifically, the rate of anemia at a median age of 2.4 days was 1.2% in the delayed-clamping group versus 6.3% for early clamping (P = .02; relative risk reduction 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22–0.95). And the geometric mean serum ferritin concentration at 4 months of age was 45% higher in the delayed-clamping group (117 μg/L vs 81 μg/L; P < .001; 95% CI, 23%–71%). Iron deficiency was significantly more prevalent in the early-clamping group, but the prevalence of anemia was similar between groups. To prevent one case of iron deficiency—with or without anemia—the number needed to treat was 20 (95% CI, 17–67).

Other growth parameters were similar. Additional long-term tracking is planned.

One of the arguments against delayed clamping is that the practice raises the risks of respiratory symptoms, polycythemia, and hyperbilirubinemia, and increases the need for phototherapy. However, this study demonstrated that late clamping does not increase these risks.

The advantages and risks of delayed cord clamping in infants who are either preterm, growth-restricted, or hypoxic remain to be determined.

We want to hear from you! Tell us what you think.

Andersson and colleagues begin their published report by explaining the importance of adequate iron status to child development, particularly neurodevelopment. As they note, “Young children are at particular risk of iron deficiency because of high iron requirements during rapid growth in combination with low iron intake.” The investigators also point out that the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia (3%–7%) and iron deficiency (as high as 26%) among young children in Europe, where this study was conducted, has troubling implications. Iron-deficiency anemia, in particular, may produce enduring cognitive and behavioral deficits.

This is the first randomized, controlled trial to explore the timing of umbilical cord clamping in a high-income country. Earlier studies in low- and middle-income populations have found that delayed cord clamping leads to an increased serum level of ferritin at 3 to 6 months of age.^1-5

The rationale for late clamping

Delayed clamping allows for placental transfusion of almost one third of the infant’s blood volume. Infants need the iron in all their red blood cells (RBCs)—circulating systemically and in the placenta—to guard against iron deficiency in the first few months of life. This need is unrelated to the mother’s health, iron status, and socioeconomic station.

Without the full quota of RBCs, an infant’s iron stores—reflected most accurately by ferritin levels at 4 to 6 months of age—will be suboptimal. Early clamping deprives newborns of RBCs remaining in the placenta and the iron they contain, which is essential for the development of the hematopoietic and central nervous systems.

The standard routine of administering oxytocin with early cord clamping, followed by controlled cord traction, was introduced as part of the active management of the third stage of labor. Until recently, there were no randomized, controlled trials demonstrating how early clamping disadvantaged the infant.

Details of the trial

The trial was conducted in a Swedish county hospital in an affluent, high-income population. Four hundred full-term, singleton infants, born after low-risk pregnancy, were randomized to early or late cord clamping.

Intravenous oxytocin (10 IU) was given immediately after the cord was clamped. The time from full delivery of the baby to the start of cord clamping was measured by an assistant to the midwife.

Blood samples were taken from the newborns 48 to 72 hours after delivery and again at 4 months of age.

A clear benefit from delayed clamping

The infants’ hemoglobin concentration and packed RBC volume were higher 2 days after delivery in the delayed-clamping group, compared with early clamping, and this translated into improved iron stores at the 4-month follow-up. Specifically, the rate of anemia at a median age of 2.4 days was 1.2% in the delayed-clamping group versus 6.3% for early clamping (P = .02; relative risk reduction 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22–0.95). And the geometric mean serum ferritin concentration at 4 months of age was 45% higher in the delayed-clamping group (117 μg/L vs 81 μg/L; P < .001; 95% CI, 23%–71%). Iron deficiency was significantly more prevalent in the early-clamping group, but the prevalence of anemia was similar between groups. To prevent one case of iron deficiency—with or without anemia—the number needed to treat was 20 (95% CI, 17–67).

Other growth parameters were similar. Additional long-term tracking is planned.

One of the arguments against delayed clamping is that the practice raises the risks of respiratory symptoms, polycythemia, and hyperbilirubinemia, and increases the need for phototherapy. However, this study demonstrated that late clamping does not increase these risks.

The advantages and risks of delayed cord clamping in infants who are either preterm, growth-restricted, or hypoxic remain to be determined.

We want to hear from you! Tell us what you think.

Andersson and colleagues begin their published report by explaining the importance of adequate iron status to child development, particularly neurodevelopment. As they note, “Young children are at particular risk of iron deficiency because of high iron requirements during rapid growth in combination with low iron intake.” The investigators also point out that the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia (3%–7%) and iron deficiency (as high as 26%) among young children in Europe, where this study was conducted, has troubling implications. Iron-deficiency anemia, in particular, may produce enduring cognitive and behavioral deficits.

This is the first randomized, controlled trial to explore the timing of umbilical cord clamping in a high-income country. Earlier studies in low- and middle-income populations have found that delayed cord clamping leads to an increased serum level of ferritin at 3 to 6 months of age.^1-5

The rationale for late clamping

Delayed clamping allows for placental transfusion of almost one third of the infant’s blood volume. Infants need the iron in all their red blood cells (RBCs)—circulating systemically and in the placenta—to guard against iron deficiency in the first few months of life. This need is unrelated to the mother’s health, iron status, and socioeconomic station.

Without the full quota of RBCs, an infant’s iron stores—reflected most accurately by ferritin levels at 4 to 6 months of age—will be suboptimal. Early clamping deprives newborns of RBCs remaining in the placenta and the iron they contain, which is essential for the development of the hematopoietic and central nervous systems.

The standard routine of administering oxytocin with early cord clamping, followed by controlled cord traction, was introduced as part of the active management of the third stage of labor. Until recently, there were no randomized, controlled trials demonstrating how early clamping disadvantaged the infant.

Details of the trial

The trial was conducted in a Swedish county hospital in an affluent, high-income population. Four hundred full-term, singleton infants, born after low-risk pregnancy, were randomized to early or late cord clamping.

Intravenous oxytocin (10 IU) was given immediately after the cord was clamped. The time from full delivery of the baby to the start of cord clamping was measured by an assistant to the midwife.

Blood samples were taken from the newborns 48 to 72 hours after delivery and again at 4 months of age.

A clear benefit from delayed clamping

The infants’ hemoglobin concentration and packed RBC volume were higher 2 days after delivery in the delayed-clamping group, compared with early clamping, and this translated into improved iron stores at the 4-month follow-up. Specifically, the rate of anemia at a median age of 2.4 days was 1.2% in the delayed-clamping group versus 6.3% for early clamping (P = .02; relative risk reduction 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22–0.95). And the geometric mean serum ferritin concentration at 4 months of age was 45% higher in the delayed-clamping group (117 μg/L vs 81 μg/L; P < .001; 95% CI, 23%–71%). Iron deficiency was significantly more prevalent in the early-clamping group, but the prevalence of anemia was similar between groups. To prevent one case of iron deficiency—with or without anemia—the number needed to treat was 20 (95% CI, 17–67).

Other growth parameters were similar. Additional long-term tracking is planned.

One of the arguments against delayed clamping is that the practice raises the risks of respiratory symptoms, polycythemia, and hyperbilirubinemia, and increases the need for phototherapy. However, this study demonstrated that late clamping does not increase these risks.

The advantages and risks of delayed cord clamping in infants who are either preterm, growth-restricted, or hypoxic remain to be determined.

We want to hear from you! Tell us what you think.