Effect of placental transfusion on the blood volume and clinical outcome of infants born by cesarean section.

Delay in cord clamping up to 30 to 40 seconds is feasible and should be practiced in preterm and term infants born by cesarean section. In term infants, this maneuver may decrease iron deficiency anemia at 6 months of age. Premature infants may have a higher blood volume and hematocrit initially requiring fewer transfusions. They also have a decreased incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage. The effect of compounding factors, such as maternal blood pressure, uterine contraction, medications, bleeding, and their effects on the infant's immediate and long-term outcome are unclear.