Neonatal Anemia in Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping

Objective: To determine the frequency of neonatal anemia in women withdelayed umbilical cord clamping present at CDF hospital Hyderabad.Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted at Department Obstetrics andGynecology, CDF Hospital Hyderabad and enrolled 182 term neonates delivered at[institution name]. Neonates were categorized based on cord clamping timing: early(within 60 seconds) and delayed (after 60–180 seconds). Hemoglobin levels weremeasured at 24–48 hours of life. Neonatal anemia was defined as hemoglobin less than14 g/dL. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.Results: Overall 182 term neonates enrolled, 91 were assigned to each group. Theneonatal anemia was significantly more frequent in the Early Cord Clamping (ECC)group compared to the Delayed Cord Clamping (DCC) group (37.4% vs. 17.6%;p=0.004, OR=2.78). Mean hemoglobin was significantly higher in the DCC group (17.2± 1.8 g/dL) versus the ECC group (14.9 ± 2.1 g/dL; p<0.001). Mean hematocrit wassimilarly elevated in the DCC group (52.4 ± 5.1% vs. 46.8 ± 5.7%; p<0.001). Nosignificant difference was observed in rates of neonatal jaundice or polycythemiabetween the two groups (p>0.05).Conclusion: Delayed umbilical cord clamping is a safe and effective strategy forreducing the frequency of neonatal anemia in term infants. Since delayed cord clampingincreases iron storage after birth, it may help prevent anemia in later infancy.Keywords: Delayed cord clamping, Neonatal anemia, early cord clamping, hemoglobin