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Letters

Placental transfusion might reduce prevalence of iron deficiency

BMJ 1996; 312 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.312.7038.1103 (Published 27 April 1996) Cite this as: BMJ 1996;312:1103
  1. G Markey,
  2. T C M Morris
  1. Associate specialist in haematology Consultant haematologist Belfast City Hospital, Belfast BT9 7AB

    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 …

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