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Effect of timing of umbilical cord clamping of term infants on maternal and neonatal outcomes

  1. Susan J McDonald1,*,
  2. Philippa Middleton2

Editorial Group: Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group

Published Online: 8 JUL 2009

Assessed as up-to-date: 30 DEC 2007

DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004074.pub2

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McDonald SJ, Middleton P. Effect of timing of umbilical cord clamping of term infants on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD004074. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004074.pub2.

Author Information

  1. 1

    La Trobe University/Mercy Hospital for Women, Midwifery Professorial Unit, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia

  2. 2

    The University of Adelaide, ARCH: Australian Research Centre for Health of Women and Babies, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

*Susan J McDonald, Midwifery Professorial Unit, La Trobe University/Mercy Hospital for Women, Level 4, Room 4.071, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia. s.mcdonald@latrobe.edu.au. smcdonald3@mercy.com.au.

Publication History

  1. Publication Status: Edited (no change to conclusions)
  2. Published Online: 8 JUL 2009

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References

References to studies included in this review

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to studies awaiting assessment
  4. References to ongoing studies
  5. Additional references
Cernadas 2006 {published data only}
  • Ceriani Cernadas JM, Carroli G, Otano L, Pellegrini L, Mariani GL, Ferreira M, et al. Effect of timing of cord clamping on postnatal hematocrit values and clinical outcome in term infants. A randomized controlled trial [abstract]. Pediatric Research 2004;55 Suppl:67.
  • Ceriani Cernadas JM, Carroli G, Pellegrini L, Otano L, Ferreira M, Ricci C, et al. The effect of timing of cord clamping on neonatal venous hematocrit values and clinical outcome at term: a randomized, controlled trial. Pediatrics 2006;117:779-86.
Chaparro 2006 {published data only}
  • Chaparro CM, Fornes R, Neufeld LM, Alavez GT, Cedillo RE, Dewey KG. Early umbilical cord clamping contributes to elevated blood lead levels among infants with higher lead exposure. Journal of Pediatrics 2007;151:506-12.
  • Chaparro CM, Neufeld LM, Alavez GT, Cedillo RE-L, Dewey KG. Effect of timing of umbilical cord clamping on iron status in Mexican infants: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2006;367:1997-2004.
Emhamed 2004 {published data only}
  • Emhamed MO, van Rheenen P, Brabin BJ. The early effects of delayed cord clamping in term infants born to Libyan mothers. Tropical Doctor 2004;34:218-22.
Geethanath 1997 {published data only}
  • Geethanath RM, Ramji S, Thirupuram S, Rao YN. Effect of timing of cord clamping on the iron status of infants at 3 months. Indian Pediatrics 1997;34(2):103-6.
Gupta 2002 {published data only}
  • Gupta R, Ramji S. Effect of delayed cord clamping on iron stores in infants born to anemic mothers: a randomized controlled trial. Indian Pediatrics 2002;39(2):130-5.
McDonald 1996 {published and unpublished data}
  • McDonald S. Timing of interventions in the third stage of labour. International Confederation of Midwives 24th Triennial Congress; 1996 May 26-31; Oslo, Norway. 1996:143.
  • McDonald S. Timing of interventions in the third stage of labour. Proceedings of the 14th Annual Congress of the Australian Perinatal Society in conjunction with the New Zealand Perinatal Society; 1996 March 24-27; Adelaide, Australia. 1996:A23.
  • McDonald SJ. Management in the third stage of labour [dissertation]. Perth: University of Western Australia, 1996.
Nelson 1980 {published data only}
Oxford Midwives 1991 {published data only}
  • Oxford Midwives Research Group. A study of the relationship between the delivery to cord clamping interval and the time of cord separation. Midwifery 1991;7:167-76.
Saigal 1972 {published data only}
Spears 1966 {published data only}
  • Spears RL, Anderson GV, Brotman S, Farrier J, Kwan J, Masto A, et al. The effect of early vs late cord clamping on signs of respiratory distress. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1966;95:564-8.
van Rheenen 2007 {published data only}
  • van Rheenen P, de Moor L, Eschbach S, de Grooth H, Brabin B. Delayed cord clamping and haemoglobin levels in infancy: a randomised controlled trial in term babies. Tropical Medicine and International Health 2007;12(5):603-15.

References to studies excluded from this review

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to studies awaiting assessment
  4. References to ongoing studies
  5. Additional references
Abdel Aziz 1999 {published data only}
  • Abdel Aziz SF, Shaheen MY, Hussein S, Suliman MS. Early cord clamping and its effect on some haematological determinants of blood viscosity in neonates. www.obgyn.net/pb/articles/cordclamping_aziz_0699.htm (accessed May 2007).
Begley 1990 {published data only}
  • Begley CM. A comparison of 'active' and 'physiological' management of the third stage of labour. Midwifery 1990;6(1):3-17.
Botha 1968 {published data only}
  • Botha MC. The management of the umbilical cord in labour. South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 1968;6:30-3.
Buckels 1965 {published data only}
Colozzi 1954 {published data only}
Daily 1970 {published data only}
  • Daily W, Olsson T, Victorin L. Transthoracic impedance: V. Effects of early and late clamping of the umbilical cord with special reference to the ratio air-to-blood during respiration. Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica 1970;207(Suppl):57-72.
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Duckman 1953 {published data only}
  • Duckman S, Merk H, Lehmann WX, Regan E. The importance of gravity in delayed ligation of the umbilical cord. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1953;66(6):1214-33.
Emmanouilides 1971 {published data only}
Erkkola 1984 {published data only}
  • Erkkola R, Kero P, Kanto J, Korvenranta H, Nanto V, Peltonen T. Delayed cord clamping in cesarean section with general anesthesia. American Journal of Perinatology 1984;1(2):165-9.
Grajeda 1997 {published data only}
  • Grajeda R, Perez-Escamilla R, Dewey K. Delayed clamping of the umbilical cord improves hematologic status of Guatemalan infants at 2 mo of age. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1997;65:425-31.
Greenberg 1967 {published data only}
  • Greenberg M, Vuorenkoski V, Partanen TJ, Lind J. Behavior and cry patterns in the first two hours of life in early and late clamped newborn. Annales Paediatriae Fenniae 1967;13(2):64-70.
Johansen 1971 {published data only}
Kemp 1971 {published data only}
Khan 1997 {published data only}
  • Khan GQ, John IS, Wani S, Doherty T, Sibai BM. Controlled cord traction versus minimal intervention techniques in delivery of the placenta: a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1997;177(4):770-4.
Kliot 1984 {published data only}
  • Kliot D, Silverstein L. Changing maternal and newborn care. A study of the Leboyer approach to childbirth management. New York State Journal of Medicine 1984;84:169-74.
Linderkamp 1992 {published data only}
  • Linderkamp O, Nelle M, Kraus M, Zilow EP. The effect of early and late cord-clamping on blood viscosity and other hemorheological parameters in full-term neonates. Acta Paediatrica 1992;81(10):745-50.
    Direct Link:
  • Nelle M, Zilow EP, Kraus M, Bastert G, Linderkamp O. The effect of Leboyer delivery on blood viscosity and other hemorheologic parameters in term neonates. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1993;169:189-93.
Nelle 1996 {published data only}
  • Nelle M, Kraus M, Bastert G, Linderkamp O. Effects of Leboyer childbirth on left- and right systolic time intervals in healthy term neonates. Journal of Perinatal Medicine 1996;24(5):513-20.
  • Nelle M, Zilow EP, Bastert G, Linderkamp O. Effect of Leboyer childbirth on cardiac output, cerebral and gastrointestinal blood flow velocities in full-term neonates. American Journal of Perinatology 1995;12:212-6.
Newton 1961 {published data only}
Philip 1973 {published data only}
Prendiville 1988 {published data only}
Rogers 1998 {published data only}
  • Rogers J, Wood J, McCandlish R, Ayers S, Truesdale A, Elbourne D. Active versus expectant management of third stage of labour: the Hinchingbrooke randomised controlled trial. Lancet 1998;351(9104):693-9.
Saigal 1981 {published data only}
  • Saigal S, Nelson NM, Bennett KJ, Enkin MW. Observations on the behavioral state of newborn infants during the first hour of life. A comparison of infants delivered by the Leboyer and conventional methods. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1981;139(6):715-9.
Schindler 1981 {published data only}
Siddall 1953 {published data only}
Sorrells-Jones 1982 {published data only}
  • Sorrell-Jones J. A comparison of the effects of the Leboyer delivery and modern 'routine' childbirth. Personal communication with the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group 1982.
Taylor 1963 {published data only}
  • Taylor PM, Bright NH, Birchard EL. Effect of early vs delayed clamping of the umbilical cord on the clinical condition of the newborn infant. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1963;86:893-8.
Terry 1970 {published data only}
  • Terry MF. A management of the third stage to reduce feto-maternal transfusion. The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the British Commonwealth 1970;77(2):129-32.
Thilaganathan 1993 {published data only}
  • Thilaganathan B, Cutner A, Latimer J, Beard R. Management of the third stage of labour in women at low risk of postpartum haemorrhage. European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 1993;48(1):19-22.
Walsh 1968 {published data only}
Walsh 1969 {published data only}
Whipple 1957 {published data only}
Wu 1960 {published data only}
  • Wu PC, Ku TS. Early clamping of the umbilical cord: a study of its effect on the infant. Chinese Medical Journal 1960;80:351-5.
Yao 1971 {published data only}
Yao 1977 {published data only}
  • Yao AC, Lind J. Effect of early and late cord clamping on the systolic time intervals of the newborn infant. Acta Paediatricia Scandinavica 1977;66(4):489-93.
    Direct Link:

References to studies awaiting assessment

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to studies awaiting assessment
  4. References to ongoing studies
  5. Additional references
Dunn 1966 {published data only}
  • Dunn PM, Fraser ID, Raper AB. Influence of early cord ligation on the transplacental passage of foetal cells. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the British Commonwealth 1966;73:757-60.
Lanzkowsky 1960 {published data only}

References to ongoing studies

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to studies awaiting assessment
  4. References to ongoing studies
  5. Additional references
Beal 2006 {unpublished data only}
  • Beal JM. Timing of cord clamping and neonatal hemoglobin. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00371228 (accessed 13 February 2008). [: NCT00371228]

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  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to studies awaiting assessment
  4. References to ongoing studies
  5. Additional references
AAP 2004
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Adamson 1996
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Baskett 1992
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Beischer 1986
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Bonnar 2000
Brucker 2001
Burchell 1980
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Cotter 2001
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Gülmezoglu 2007
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Higgins 2006
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Hutton 2007
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Inch 1985
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Kwast 1991
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Lapido 1972
Loke 2008
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McDonald 2003
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McDonald 2004
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McDonald 2007
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