Influence of delayed umbilical cord clamping on hemoglobin level of preterm infants after birth

Objective To investigate the influence of delayed umbilical cord clamping on hemoglobin levels of preterm infants after birth. Methods Sixty preterm infants born in Wuzhou People’s Hospital during December, 2017 to April 2019 were selected and divided into two groups by umbilical cord cutting time. In the 30 preterm infants of observation group, umbilical cords were cut 2 min after birth or after umbilical cord stopped pulsing; while the umbilical cord of control group were cut immediately within 10 s after birth. The hemoglobin level, hematocrit (HCT) were compared between the two groups. Results There was no statistical difference in HCT or hemoglobin level between the two groups (P>0.05). On 3 days after birth, the HCT and hemoglobin levels were higher than the levels prior to birth in the two groups (P 0.05). The transcutaneous bilirubin levels on the fifth day after birth were higher than those on the first day after birth in both groups (P 0.05). The rate of blood transfusion was 30.00% (2/30) in the observation group, lower than the 86.67% (11/30) in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Delayed umbilical cord clamping can improve hemoglobin level, without increasing incidence of hyperbilirubinemia. It is an effective and safe method to prevent anemia. Key words: Preterm infants; Delayed umbilical cord clamping; Hemoglobin