The effect of cord clamping time on cerebral oxygenation and cardiac functions in the neonatal period

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of early or late clamping of the umbilical cord during labor on brain oxygenation and cardiac functions. Material and Method: A total of 52 healthy newborns were divided into two groups as early cord clamping time (Group-1: 60 sec) and late cord clamping time (Group-2: 180 sec) at birth. Postpartum babies were kept at the level of the placenta until the umbilical cord was clamped. Appropriate probes were attached for pulse oximetry and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring while postnatal care was given to the babies under a radiant heater. Preductal saturation, heart rate and NIRS values were recorded at the 5th and 10th minutes after delivery. Cardiac functions of the babies were examined by echocardiography between postnatal 3-7 days. Results: No significant difference were observed between the median APGAR values measured at the first and fifth minutes of newborns (9 and 10, respectively; p=1,000). No significant difference were observed in terms of median heart rates measured at the fifth minute (164.5/min and 162.5/min, respectively), median heart rates measured at the tenth minute (158 and 148, respectively), median SpO2 values measured at the fifth minute (respectively) 86.5% and 85%), median SpO2 values measured at the tenth minute (95.5% and 95%, respectively), median NIRS values measured at the fifth minute (%73 and 71.5%, respectively), and median NIRS values measured at the fifth minute (%82,5 and 83.5%, respectively) between Group-1 and Group-2. In the echocardiographic examination performed on the babies in an average of postnatal 5.5 days. It was found that there was no statistically significant relationship between cord clamping times and cardiac functions (p>0.05 in all values). Conclusion: It was observed that early or late clamping time of the umbilical cord during delivery did not make a significant difference on cerebral oxygenation and echocardiographic findings. Key Words: Cerebral Oxygenation, Cord Clamping Time, Newborn, NIRS