Article: Risk in Cutting Umbilical Cord Too Early
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From correspondents in London
August 17, 2007 11:34pm
DOCTORS and midwives should cut the umbilical cord later after birth to reduce the risk of anaemia in babies, a senior British obstetrics lecturer said today.
Research by Doctor Andrew Weeks from the University of Liverpool in northwest England suggests that leaving the cord intact for three minutes increases the baby's iron levels and reduces the risk of anaemia.
Weeks' report was published in the British Medical Journal.
Babies born prematurely would especially benefit from delayed clamping, Dr Weeks said, adding to the debate over the best time to cut the cord.
There have been concerns that early clamping could cause a condition leading to jaundice, but Dr Weeks argues that trials have shown this is not the case.
Dr Weeks estimates that around half of maternity units in Britain cut the cord immediately once the baby is born but said that while trials have shown mothers did not suffer ill effects from early clamping, babies could benefit from leaving the cord intact a little longer.
Leaving it for a while sends oxygen-rich blood to the lungs until the baby's breathing is fully established and increases iron levels, Dr Weeks said.
He admitted delayed clamping may be more difficult to achieve with premature babies or babies born with caesareans, even though these babies would probably benefit the most from it.
“There is now considerable evidence that early cord clamping does not benefit mothers or babies and may even be harmful,” he told the BMJ.
“Both the World Health Organisation and the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics have dropped the practice from their guidelines.
“It is time for others to follow their lead and find practical ways of incorporating delayed cord clamping into delivery routines.”
I know its not 'new' news, but its good to see this info getting out there into the mainstream media...
