BMJ  2006;333:954-958 (4 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.39002.389236.BE

Practice

A practical approach to timing cord clamping in resource poor settings

¹ Paediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB Groningen, Netherlands, ² Emma Children's Hospital-Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

There is little agreement among doctors and midwives about the optimal time to clamp the umbilical cord after birth. The most important points of difference relate to maternal and infant safety. Many healthcare workers worldwide tend to clamp the cord and pass the baby off as quickly as possible. Infants in resource poor settings are the main victims of immediate clamping, as this prevents a cost-free means of boosting their small iron stores.

Infant anaemia is common in poor communities, especially where malaria is endemic. In sub-Saharan Africa more than 75% of infants are anaemic before 6 months of age.^w1-w3 Infant anaemia is associated with increased mortality^{w4 w5} and with impaired mental and motor development.^w6 Its prevention is of critical importance, and delaying clamping of the umbilical cord could be an effective strategy to reduce anaemia and improve child survival.

We propose a practice guideline on cord clamping for resource poor . . . [Full text of this article]

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Rapid Responses:

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cord clamping in uk

pa price
bmj.com, 4 Nov 2006 [Full text]

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