A new study hopes to determine whether waiting two minutes to clamp a newborn's umbilical cord after delivery could improve how well he or she recovers from corrective heart surgery. Typically, physicians clamp and cut the imbilical cord immediately following delivery. Some physicians believe that delaying the clamping of the cord would increase the flow of blood from the placenta to the child.
The practice of delayed umbilical cord clamping has been shown to improve hematocrit levels, leading to an increased number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells throughout the body. Hematocrit levels are an important factor during surgery, and blood transfusions are often required to replace blood lost during complicated procedures.
Dr.Carl Backes Jr., a neonatology fellow, has received a $125,000 two-year grant from the American Heart Association. He will use the grant to study whether delayed umbilical cord clamping could have a positive impact on surgical outcomes. When a baby being cared for prenatally at Ohio State University Medical Center is identified in the womb as having a prenatal heart lesion, doctors will determine whether the baby has critical congenital heart disease likely to require surgery within the first month of life. If so, Dr. Backes will work collaboratively with medical center obstetricians to coordinate the timing of the umbilical cord clamping.
Each baby's umbilical cord will either be clamped right away or the clamping will be delayed for 120 seconds post-delivery. The research team will then monitor the children's progress for two years, comparing differences between the groups. Dr. Backes said he suspects that delayed clamping has additional benefits other than improving hematocrit levels.
Medical advances are being made all the time. When a doctor is unaware of new techniques and doesn't use them, it could be medical malpractice. If you or a family member has been victimized by malpractice, call Dr. Bruce G. Fagel, a practicing attorney and licensed physician. Contact him at 800/541-9376 or www.fagellaw.com.
