Early cord clamping protects at-risk neonates from polycythemia.
Neonatal polycythemia is a potentially lethal, multi-organ disease. We have performed a prospective, open-label study to test the hypothesis that an early cord clamping proximally to the neonate's abdomen could avert from the neonatal circulation a blood volume critical to the occurrence of polycythemia in at-risk neonates. Newborns were divided into group 1 (clamping time within 10 s) and group 2 (clamping time 11-120 s). Group 1 had statistically significant more blood volume sequestered in the cord and less manifestations of polycythemia.


CONCLUSIONS
An early cord clamping is an effective and zero-cost way to prevent polycythemia in at-risk neonates.
Capasso
Letizia
L
Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy.
Raimondi
Francesco
F
Capasso
Antonio
A
Crivaro
Valeria
V
Capasso
Rachele
R
Paludetto
Roberto
R
D001810:Blood Volume; D003250:Constriction; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011086:Polycythemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000098:blood supply