Year: 2026 | Month: April | Volume: 16 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 238-246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260429
Significance of Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping to 90 Seconds Over 60 Seconds and Requirement of Phototherapy in Healthy Term Neonates Born by Elective Cesarean Section
Sighakolli Chinmai1, Bonela Sai Kumar2, Chaparala Sarishma3
1,2,3Department of Paediatrics, GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, GITAM Deemed to be University, Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam, AP, India.
Corresponding Author: Chaparala Sarishma
ABSTRACT
Delayed cord clamping (DCC) has been associated with improved neonatal outcomes, especially hematologic parameters. This study evaluates the effects of umbilical cord clamping at 90 seconds versus 60 seconds on neonatal hemoglobin, hematocrit levels, and the requirement for phototherapy. A randomized study was conducted at tertiary care hospital, Visakhapatnam, involving 92 healthy term neonates born via elective cesarean section. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (cord clamping at 60 seconds) and Group B (cord clamping at 90 seconds). Neonatal outcomes including hemoglobin, hematocrit, bilirubin levels, phototherapy requirement, SpO₂, heart rate, temperature, and glycemia were assessed at defined intervals post-delivery. Group B (90-second DCC) showed significantly higher hemoglobin levels on Day 0 (18.97 ± 2.46 g/dL vs. 16.16 ± 2.53 g/dL; p = 0.012) and Day 3 (21.95 ± 2.35 g/dL vs. 19.02 ± 2.23 g/dL; p = 0.029). Hematocrit levels were also significantly higher in Group B at both times. No significant differences were observed in bilirubin levels or phototherapy requirements between the groups (p = 0.500). Other parameters such as SpO₂, heart rate, temperature, and glycemia showed no statistically significant differences. Delayed cord clamping for 90 seconds significantly improves neonatal hemoglobin and hematocrit levels without elevating the risk for phototherapy, supporting its use in term infants born by elective cesarean section.
Key words: Delayed cord clamping, hemoglobin, hematocrit, phototherapy, hyperbilirubinemia, elective cesarean section, neonatal outcomes, umbilical cord clamping, neonatology