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Abstract Background: Delay of cord clamping time for 30 to 120 seconds stabilizes the circulatory system of neonates during the first day of life, leading to less requirement for volume therapy, transfusion, and inotropic support, reduced the need for donor red cell transfusions, decreased the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage, and improved neuro-developmental outcome, however, there were insufficient data for reliable conclusions about the comparative effects on any of the primary outcomes. Aim of the work: To compare Delayed& immediate Cord Clamping to enhance placento-fetal blood transfusion in preterm neonates by measuring hematocrit & hemoglobin after one hour and after 6 weeks. Study design: Randomized controlled trial. Patients and methods: The study will be carried out in Ain-Shams University Maternity Hospital. Recruiting 140 women at risk of preterm deliveries all will deliver before 37 completed weeks of gestation, they will be randomized to either delayed cord clamping at 3 minutes after delivery, immediate cord clamping < 15 seconds in vaginal delivery and cesarean section. Results: There were no significant differences between both groups regarding infant birth weight, 1 minute Apgar score, and 5 minute Apgar score. Also, insignificant results were present with regards to neonatal initial total serum bilirubin and random blood sugar.Neonatal hematocrit and hemoglobin values were significantly higher in the delayed cord clamping group than in the immediate cord group (p= 0.001). Also, there were significant differences between the hemoglobin concentrations 6 weeks after delivery in the delayed cord clamping group compared to the immediate cord group (p= 0.002). Conclusion: Delayed cord clamping by at least 3 minutes results in better neonatal hematocrit and hemoglobin values. This benefit was extended to early infancy with significantly higher hemoglobin in follow up at 6 weeks. |