Neonatal and Maternal Outcomes of Immediately versus Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping in Full Term Caesarean Delivery

Background: Traditionally, early umbilical cord clamping (UCC) part of third-stage labor management, though its optimal timing remains debated. Objective: To evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes of immediate versus delayed cord clamping (DCC) in term cesarean deliveries (CD). Subjects and Methods: This randomized clinical study involved 160 pregnant women undergoing elective caesarean delivery at Menoufia University Hospitals and Tala General Hospital. Participants were equally divided into four groups: Group A (immediate cord clamping), Group B (clamping after 30 seconds), Group C (after 60 seconds), and Group D (after 90 seconds). Results: Fetal Hb, Hct and ferritin at 24 hrs. were significantly higher in group B, group C, and group D compared to group A (P<0.05). Fetal bilirubin at 48 hrs. was significantly higher in group B, group C, and group D compared to group A (P<0.05), with no significant difference between group C and group D. Fetal Hb, Hct, ferritin and bilirubin at birth were insignificantly different among the studied groups. There was an insignificant difference among the total groups regarding the need for NICU admission and oxygen therapy. Conclusions: DUCC is an efficient and safe procedure for full term CD with better neonatal outcomes and the optimal timing of cord clamping is at 60 seconds.