Placental transfusion might reduce prevalence of iron deficiency

EDITOR,—Alfredo Pisacane states that current obstetric practice in relation to immediate or early clamping of the umbilical cord may contribute to neonatal iron deficiency owing to the volume of fetal blood that is retained in the placenta when this practice is followed.1 He also points out that even a moderate transfusion of 20-30 ml/kg from placenta to infant can minimise depletion of iron stores in late infancy.

There is evidence that relatively …