Delayed Versus Immediate Cord Clamping in Preterm Birth

RECRUITING

NCT07699666

NA

Sponsor: Faculty of Medicine of Tunis

Summary

The goal of this study is to evaluate whether delayed cord clamping improves early neonatal outcomes compared with immediate clamping in preterm birth. Preterm infants are at higher risk of neonatal complications, and the timing of cord clamping may influence placental transfusion and neonatal adaptation after birth. Delayed cord clamping may increase blood volume, improve iron stores, and reduce some neonatal morbidities, while immediate cord clamping is still commonly practiced in many settings. In this study, preterm newborns are assigned to either delayed or immediate cord clamping according to a predefined protocol. Early neonatal outcomes, including respiratory status, need for resuscitation, hemoglobin levels, and early morbidity and mortality, will be assessed. The study is conducted in a tertiary maternity center in Tunisia.

Official title: Early Neonatal Outcomes After Delayed Versus Immediate Cord Clamping in Preterm Birth: A Comparative Study From A Tunisian Tertiary Maternity Center

Key Details

Gender

All

Age Range

0 Days - Any

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Enrollment

200

Start Date

2025-10-02

Completion Date

2026-12-31

Last Updated

2026-07-13

Healthy Volunteers

No

Conditions

Preterm Birth Complication Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality Cord Clamping Delayed Cord Clamping Anemia NEC - Necrotizing Enterocolitis Intraventricular Hemorrhage Neonatal Respiratory Distress Neonatal

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping

Delayed umbilical cord clamping is performed in preterm infants by delaying umbilical cord clamping for a predefined duration after birth (at least 30 seconds), allowing continued placental transfusion prior to neonatal separation from the placenta. The procedure is applied immediately after delivery, with neonatal stabilization provided according to standard clinical practice.

PROCEDURE

Immediate Umbilical Cord Clamping

Immediate umbilical cord clamping is performed in preterm infants by clamping the umbilical cord shortly after birth without intentional delay, typically within seconds following delivery, before significant placental transfusion occurs. Neonatal care is initiated immediately after clamping according to standard practice.

Locations (1)

Maternity and neonatology center of Tunis

Tunis, Tunis Governorate, Tunisia

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