[Medical News Today]

Delayed clamping of the umbilical cord to help prevent iron deficiency in infancy was associated with improved scores in fine-motor and social skills in children at age 4, particularly in boys, although it was not associated with any effect on overall IQ or behavior compared with children whose cords were clamped seconds after delivery, according to an article published online by JAMA Pediatrics.
Iron deficiency is a global health issue among preschool children associated with impaired neurodevelopment that can affect cognitive, motor and behavioral abilities. Delaying umbilical cord clamping by two to three minutes after delivery allows fetal blood remaining in the placental circulation to be transfused back to the newborn. This process has been associated with improved iron status at 4 to 6 months of age. There is a lack of knowledge regarding the long-term effects and evidence of no harm, causing policymakers to be hesitant about making clear recommendations concerning delayed cord clamping in full-term infants, according to the study background.
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