Aug 17 : Doctors need to wait at least three minutes before clamping and cutting the umbilical cord, especially in the case of premature babies, an expert has suggested.

Dr Andrew Weeks analysed a body of previous research to determine when is the best time to sever the literal bond between mother and child, in the light of recent studies suggesting that early clamping and cutting may be harmful to the baby.

Dr Weeks, in his study, suggest that delayed cord clamping, especially for preterm babies, and those born by caesarean may be especially beneficial, reports the BMJ.

The umbilical cord is important for at birth, it sends oxygen-rich blood to the lungs until the infant’s breathing establishes.

Therefore, as long as the cord is unclamped, the average transfusion to the newborn is equivalent to 21 percent of the neonate’s final blood volume and three quarters of the transfusion occurs in the first minute after birth.

For babies born at term, large autotransfusion can increase their iron status. This may be lifesaving in areas where anaemia is endemic.

Though in developed countries, there is the worry that delayed clamping and cutting of the cord increase the risk of polycythaemia and hyperbilirubinaemia (abnormally high levels of red blood cells and bile pigments in the bloodstream, often leading to jaundice), trials have show this is not the case. (ANI)

Tags:childrens-Health