Delayed umbilical cord clamping, performed within 1 to 3 minutes after birth, is recommended to improve infant health outcomes. Delay (1 – 3 minutes) after birth for clamping and subsequent section of the umbilical cord allows the transfusion of blood from the placenta to the newborn, which in turn improves their iron store and contributes to meet the requirements of this micronutrient during the first six months.
Iron is a critical micronutrient from immune function to neurological development in children. Its deficit generates iron deficiency anaemia.
Children are especially vulnerable to iron deficiency because of their high requirements particularly during the rapid growth that takes place in the first two years of life.
When mothers follow the recommendation to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life, their breast milk provides only a small amount of iron to the infant.
To meet the high iron requirements during this critical period of growth and development, and until such time as iron-rich foods or iron supplements can be incorporated, the neonate depends on his/her iron stores available from birth.
Children who grow up with iron deficiency are more likely to have delayed psychomotor development and lower school performance.
For this reason it is of enormous importance to improve these reserves, which is possible by allowing placental transfusion during the brief period of 1 to 3 minutes before clamping the umbilical cord after birth. This action is relevant because iron deficiency anaemia is a widespread public health problem with major consequences for human health, affecting and hindering social and economic development.
