Effects of delayed umbilical cord ligation on SpO₂ and health status of term newborns

Objective To explore the effect of delayed umbilical cord ligation on the oxygen saturation (SpO₂), the results of blood routine test and the incidence of phototherapy of term newborns.Methods During July 2015 and September 2016, a total of 200 vaginal delivery newborns were recruited from our hospital obstetric department.Among them, 100 cases were with delayed umbilical cord ligation (delayed group) and 100 cases were with normal umbilical cord ligation (routine group).The levels of SpO₂, ferritin, hemoglobin, and red blood cell hematocrit of these two groups at different time point after giving birth were analyzed retrospectively.Results The levels of SpO₂ of delayed group at 1 min, 5 mins, and 10 mins after giving birth were significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.05).There was no statistical difference in the levels of SpO₂ at 30 mins and 4 h after giving birth between the delayed group and the routine group (P>0.05).The levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit of delayed group at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after giving birth were significantly higher than that of routine group (P<0.05).The incidences of phototherapy and anemia of delayed group was 2% and 1%, respectively.They were significantly lower than that of routine group (15% and 8%, respectively) (P<0.05).Conclusion Delayed umbilical cord ligation is helpful to improve the levels of SpO₂, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and to reduce the incidence of phototherapy and anemia.