COMPARING DELAYED AND EARLY CORD CLAMPING: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF BENEFITS AND RISKS

Background: The timing of umbilical cord clamping has long been debated in obstetric care, with implications for both maternal and neonatal outcomes. Early cord clamping (ECC), traditionally performed within 15 30 seconds after birth, was once believed to reduce postpartum hemorrhage and facilitate neonatal resuscitation.

Objective: This systematic review aims to compare the neonatal and maternal outcomes of DCC versus ECC, evaluating recent evidence to determine best practices in obstetric and neonatal care.

Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and meta- analyses published in English between 2008 and 2023. Studies reporting neonatal hemoglobin levels, iron stores, neonatal jaundice, postpartum hemorrhage, and placental retention were included.

Results: The review found that DCC is associated with significantly higher neonatal hemoglobin levels and iron stores, reducing the risk of anemia in infancy. DCC also improves cardiovascular stability and reduces the need for blood transfusions, particularly in preterm infants. While DCC slightly increases bilirubin levels,the need for phototherapy remains comparable between DCC and ECC groups. On the maternal side, evidence indicates no significant difference in postpartum hemorrhage or placental retention between the two practices.