Randomized Study of Delayed Cord Clamping of 30 to 60 Seconds in the Larger Infant Born Preterm

Abstract

In a randomized study of infants born preterm (gestational age 28-34 6/7 weeks), we evaluated delayed cord clamping for 30 (n = 50) vs 60 (n = 55) seconds. The primary outcome of initial hematocrit differed by 2.8% (P = .006), being greater with 60 seconds. There were no differences in secondary outcomes and no adverse consequences between groups. These findings should serve as a stimulus to many centers that are reluctant to implement delayed cord clamping in this targeted larger premature population.