Delayed umbilical cord clamping for at least 60 seconds following birth could lead to a significant reduction in death or disability in very preterm infants, suggests a new study.

Investigators randomized 767 very preterm infants to delayed cord clamping at least 60 seconds after birth, while 764 were randomized to immediate cord clamping. Death or disability at 2 years of age was the study’s primary outcome. 

Death or major disability was noted in 29% of infants who were randomized to delayed clamping compared to 34% of the infants subjected to immediate clamping (relative risk 0.83, P = .010). By 2 years of age, 8% of infants who were assigned to delayed clamping and 11% of the infants who underwent immediate clamping had died, while 23% and 26%, respectively, had major disability. The impact of clamping the cord at least 60 seconds after birth reflected a 30% reduction in relative risk of death at 2 years of age. The study is published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health… (Medscape)