Posted by Neill Abayon
Newborns have a better blood count if the umbilical cord isn't cut for at least two minutes after birth, suggests a new review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. After examining 15 trials of early and late cord cutting, Dr. Eileen Hutton of McMaster University, Ontario, concluded that a delay is beneficial. "Advantages include improved blood count and iron status, and a reduced risk of anaemia," she says. "These benefits last three to six months into infancy."
"Some practitioners clamp the cord immediately because they have learnt to do it that way," says Hutton.
"But there is enough evidence to recommend a delay of at least two minutes."
"Some practitioners clamp the cord immediately because they have learnt to do it that way," says Hutton.
"But there is enough evidence to recommend a delay of at least two minutes."