Effect of timing of cord clamping on the iron status of infants at 3 months.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of timing of cord clamping on iron stores of term infants at 3 months of age.

DESIGN

Prospective randomized clinical trial.

SETTING

Tertiary hospital.

SUBJECTS

107 term neonates born to mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies and with hemoglobin more than 10 g/dl.

METHODS

The 107 infants were randomized to either early (n = 48) or late (n = 59) clamping groups at the time of delivery. Outcome measures evaluated were serum ferritin and hemoglobin in the infant at 3 months age.

RESULTS

The groups were comparable for maternal age, parity, weight, supplemental iron intake in pregnancy, infant's birth weight, gestation and sex. Maternal and cord ferritin and hemoglobin values at birth were comparable. The infant ferritin at 3 months were also similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Iron stores at 3 months in term infants are not influenced by timing of cord clamping at birth.