The late cord-clamped group showed consistently higher haemoglobin levels than the early cord-clamped group, both at the age of 1 hour (mean (SD) 13.4 (1.9) mmol/l vs 11.1 (1.7) mmol/l), and at 10 weeks (6.7 (0.75) mmol/l vs 6.0 (0.65) mmol/l). No relationship between delayed clamping of the umbilical cord and pathological jaundice or polycythaemia was found.  Immediate clamping of the umbilical cord should be discouraged.  ^{Read more at http://fn.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/93/1/F20} 

Delayed Cord Clamping at Birth May Reduce Neonatal Anemia  Author: Laurie Barclay, MD 
Delayed cord clamping at birth increases neonatal mean venous hematocrit within a physiologic range," the authors write. "Furthermore, this intervention seems to reduce the rate of neonatal anemia. This practice has been shown to be safe and should be implemented to increase neonatal iron storage at birth."  

"Another benefit of delayed clamping would be the increase of hematopoietic stem cells transfused to the newborn, which might play a role on different blood disorders and immune conditions," the authors conclude. "The advantages of umbilical cord clamping at least at 1 minute after birth could decrease the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in the first year of life, especially in populations with limited access to health care." read in full at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/530352

 Effect of timing of umbilical cord clamping on iron status in Mexican infants: a randomised controlled trial  Lancet. 2006 Jun 17;367(9527):1997-2004. by  Chaparro CM. et al

Delay in cord clamping of 2 minutes could help prevent iron deficiency from developing before 6 months of age, when iron-fortified complementary foods could be introduced. Read more at Delay in cord clamping of 2 minutes could help prevent iron deficiency from developing before 6 months of age, when iron-fortified complementary foods could be introduced.