Delaying cord clamping is linked to improvements in fine motor skills

Delaying clamping the umbilical cord for around three minutes is associated with better fine motor function and social skills in children at the age of 4 years, a randomised controlled trial has found.1

Delaying umbilical cord clamping by two to three minutes after delivery allows fetal blood remaining in the placental circulation to be transfused back into the newborn baby. It has previously been shown to produce higher haemoglobin concentrations after birth and increased iron stores until 6 months of age. However, there has been little evidence …