FIGO good practice recommendations on delayed umbilical cord clamping

Abstract

Delayed cord clamping in the first minute in preterm infants born before 34 weeks of gestation improves neonatal hematologic measures and may reduce mortality without increasing any other morbidity. In term‐born babies, it also seems to improve both the short‐ and long‐term outcomes and shows favorable scores in fine motor and social domains. However, there is insufficient evidence to show what duration of delay is best. The current evidence supports not clamping the cord before 30 seconds for preterm births. Future trials could compare different lengths of delay. Until then, a period of 30 seconds to 3 minutes seems justified for term‐born babies.

FIGO good practice recommendations for reducing preterm birth and improving child outcomes

“…Documents were stratified into three categories with recommendations provided: population-based registries [1][2][3] ; prevention by maternal treatment [4][5][6] ; and fetal treatment imminent to delivery. [7][8][9]…”

“…Bianchi, Jacobsson, and Mol authored the good practice recommendations for delayed umbilical cord clamping. 9 A thorough rationale is provided. Improved neonatal hematologic indices and reduced hospital mortality have been shown when performed at various timelines (<34 weeks; <28 weeks).…”

“…Bianchi, Jacobsson, and Mol authored the good practice recommendations for delayed umbilical cord clamping 9 . A thorough rationale is provided.…”

“…When consensus was reached, Working Group recommendations were in alignment with FIGO policy. Documents were stratified into three categories with recommendations provided: population‐based registries 1–3 ; prevention by maternal treatment 4–6 ; and fetal treatment imminent to delivery 7–9 …”

Umbilical cord blood acid–base analysis at birth and long‐term neurodevelopmental outcomes in children: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…46,47 Further, delayed cord clamping per se is associated with some long-term benefits, making interpretation of long-term follow-up results that include populations with both early and delayed cord clamping difficult. [48][49][50] Another explanation for the BSID test result may be confounding factors, as discussed under the study's limitations.…”