Effect of early and delayed cord clamping on hemoglobin and hematocrit among full term neonates.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the mean hemoglobin levels and frequency of polycythemia in full term neonates after early and delayed cord clamping. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Setting: KRL General Hospital Islamabad (Labor Room/ Neonatology). Periods: December 2017 to June 2018. Material & Methods: 190 full term neonates were selected and divided into 2 equal groups randomly: Early cord clamping group after delivery and late cord clamping group. Two hours after clamping the venous blood samples were taken for the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for gestational age, birth weight, hemoglobin and hematocrit. Frequency and proportions were calculated for gender and polycythemia. Results: Mean gestational age of the mothers was 39.27 ± 1.50 weeks. Of 190 neonates, 91 (47.9%) were males, 99 (52.1%) were females. Mean birth weight was 3.64 ± 0.72 kg while mean Hb and HCT levels were 16.07 ± 2.30 g/dl and 63.26 ± 5.32% respectively. Keeping cut off value of 13.5 g/dl of Hb to label anemia or no, 35 (18.4%) neonates were anemic in this study. The polycythemia (HCT >65%) was present in 72 (37.9%) of neonates. There was no difference between groups in terms of gender, anemia, gestational age and birth weight (p values 0.663, 0.852, 0.700 and 0.491 respectively). The distribution of polycythemia was different among groups (p value 0.007). The mean hemoglobin level in group A was 15.52 ± 1.90 g/dl while in group B it was 16.62 ± 2.53 g/dl (p value 0.001). Mean Hb levels were statistically not different among some of the groups (gestational age <40 weeks, birth weight <4 kg) while HCT levels are significantly different among male group and category of birth weight >4 kg. Rest of the stratification groups showed significant difference. Conclusion: The delayed cord clamping in neonates results in increased mean hemoglobin and hematocrit levels with increased frequency of polycythemia as compared to early cord clamping.