Featured Review: Does delaying cord clamping or using cord milking at birth improve the health of babies born too early?

Delayed cord clamping improves health of babies born too early: updated Cochrane ReviewThis updated Cochrane systematic review   finds that delayed, rather than early, cord clamping may reduce the risk of death before discharge for babies born preterm.The authors set out to determine if delayed cord clamping or umbilical cord milking improves the health outcomes for babies born before 37 weeks ' gestation. These interventions were compared with early cord clamping.Babies born before 37 weeks, or preterm, have poorer health outcomes than babies born at term, particularly if they are born before 32 weeks. They can experience problems with the functioning of many of their major organs including their lungs, gut and hearts, and have a greater risk of dying or having long-term problems such as cerebral palsy. After birth, the babies may need blood transfusions and drugs to strengthen their heart contractions (inotropes) and to raise their blood pressure. It is important to try to find ways of improving the health of these tiny babies.Lead author Heike Rabe, Professor of Perinatal Medicine and Honorary Consultant Neonatologist at Brighton and Sussex Medical School said: “Early clamping of the umbilical cord has been standard practice over many years. It allows the baby to be transferred quickly to care from a specialist team of doctors either at the side of the room or in another room. Yet, delayed clamping for half to three or more minutes allows continuing bloo d flow between ...
Source: Cochrane News and Events - Category: Information Technology Authors: Source Type: news