Asra Ishtiaq and Imam Bano
The study was conducted at the department of Obstet rics and Gynecology at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh India from June 2008 to October 20 10. 200 mothers were selected for the study and informed consent using a predesigned proforma. The subjects were divided into 4 groups of 50 each wherein the umbilical cord was clamped at 15 second s, 30 seconds, 1 minute and 2 minutes respectively. The neonatal venous hematocrit and cl inical outcome was assessed. The primary objective was to study the effect of timing of cord clamping on neonatal venous hematocrit at 6 and 24 hours of life. The other neonatal parameters assess ed were blood glucose at 6 and 24 hours, serum calcium at 6 hours, serum total bilirubin at 24 hou rs, oxygen saturation, temperature and duration of NICU stay. The maternal parameters studied were pre and post delivery hemoglobin, pre and post delivery hematocrit and blood loss during delivery. Data was analyzed using statistical package for social service software – SPSS version 11.5. A p va lue of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Our study showed a rising trend in neo natal hematocrit values with progressive delay in clamping of the umbilical cord. A high indience of anemia was seen among the newborns if the cord was clamped at 15 seconds. No infant was reported t o have anemia if the cord was clamped at 2 minutes. Ony asymptomatic polycythemia was seen in this category. A beneficial effect of delayed cord clamping on neonatal hematocrit at both 1 and 2 min utes but it is significantly higher at 2 minute clamping group as compared to 1 minute clamping gro up.
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