he aim of this study was to compare the effects of delayed cord clamping (DCC) and
early cord clamping (ECC) on venous hematocrit (htc) and clinical outcomes in infants
of diabetic mothers (IDMs). This prospective randomized study included 157 term
IDMs. The umbilical cords of these infants were clamped at least 60 seconds in group I
(DCC group, n ¼ 79) and as soon as possible after birth in group II (ECC group, n ¼ 78).
The two groups were compared regarding neonatal venous htc levels, hypoglycemia
rates, jaundice requiring phototherapy, respiratory distress, and admission to the
neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Hematocrit levels were significantly higher in the
DCC group, both at 6 and 24 hours postnatally (p ¼ 0.039 and 0.01), respectively.
Polycythemia frequency was higher in DCC than the ECC group, but no patient in either
group needed partial exchange transfusion (PET). Rates of jaundice were significantly
higher in the DCC group (p ¼ 0.028), but there was no significant difference between
the two groups regarding jaundice requiring phototherapy (p ¼ 0.681). There were no
differences between the groups regarding hypoglycemia rates, need for glucose
infusion, or respiratory distress. The incidence of admission to NICU was lower in
the DCC group (p ¼ 0.005). Early clamping was a significant predictor for increased risk
of NICU admission. DCC increased polycythemia and jaundice rates but did not increase
the need for PET or phototherapy. Also, DCC reduced the severity of respiratory distress
and the subsequent need for NICU admission