This is a translated copy of the original article published 28/01/2017 in Turkish.
Research shows that delaying clamping of the umbilical cord for at least 3 minutes can prevent anemia up to the age of 1.
In this fresh and very important study published on January 17, 2017, researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden conducted a study in Nepal involving a total of 540 newborns, divided into two groups. In the first group, the babies’ umbilical cords were clamped or cut within the first minute, while in the second group, cutting was delayed for at least 3 minutes. It was observed that babies in the group whose cords were cut after at least 3 minutes had an 8% lower rate of anemia at age 1. The timing of cord cutting played an even more significant role in preventing anemia up to 8 months of age.
Hold your baby for 3 minutes before the cord is cut
At birth, about one-third of a baby’s blood is still in the placenta. If the umbilical cord is cut too quickly, this significant amount of blood remains in the placenta and is essentially wasted. However, if cutting is delayed by at least 3 minutes, your baby can start life with about half a cup of extra blood, which is equivalent to about 2 liters of blood for an adult.
Make sure to discuss this with your doctor during a prenatal visit. Hopefully, you will have a smooth natural birth, and you can ask your doctor to place your baby in your arms for a few minutes before cutting the cord. During this time, uncovering your upper body to provide skin-to-skin contact will also help stimulate healthy milk production.
Anemia and clamping
Anemia affects more than 40% of children under the age of 5 worldwide. It reduces both mental and physical performance and has long-term negative effects on growth and development. In about half of all children, the cause of anemia is iron deficiency.
Blood contains red blood cells (erythrocytes) that carry hemoglobin, which transports oxygen to the body’s tissues and contains iron. When a baby is deprived of the blood in the placenta, it is almost as if they are starting life with a 3–4 month deficit of iron.
Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends delaying cord clamping for at least 1 minute, while the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggests 30–60 seconds as the minimum. However, following this new study, it has become clear that the timing of cord cutting plays a critical role, and delivery teams should be promptly informed. Perhaps even the “Lotus Birth” method—where the cord is never cut and the baby remains attached to the placenta until it naturally separates—may become more common.
Long-term results
In Nepal, about 70% of children under the age of 1 suffer from anemia. The researchers randomly selected 540 babies born at a major maternity hospital in Kathmandu and recorded the timing of their cord cutting as early (before 1 minute) or delayed (after 3 minutes). Blood samples were later taken when the babies were 8 and 12 months old to assess anemia (hemoglobin) and iron deficiency (ferritin).
The same research team had previously conducted a study in Sweden, reporting that after adopting delayed cord cutting, the iron levels in 4-month-old infants increased, and the number of children with iron deficiency decreased by 90%, from 5.7% to 0.6%.
When the children reached 4 years of age, there was no difference in general intelligence or development related to cord cutting time, but those who had delayed clamping showed better motor skills and social abilities.
Hoping this information brings health to many little ones :)
References:
Can Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping Reduce Infant Anaemia at Age 8, 12 Months?
Andersson, O. et al. JAMA Pediatrics. 17 January 2017
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.3971>
Op.Dr.Gülnihal Bülbül, “Göbek kordonunun kesilme zamanı“
<http://www.tavsiyeediyorum.com/makale_7589.htm>
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