Effects of delayed versus immediate umbilical cord clamping in reducing death or major disability at 2 years corrected age among very preterm infants (APTS): a multicentre, randomised clinical trial (8 December 2021)

Summary

Very preterm infants are at increased risk of adverse outcomes in early childhood. This study in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health assessed whether delayed clamping of the umbilical cord reduces mortality or major disability at two years.

The authors found that clamping the umbilical cord at least 60 seconds after birth reduced the risk of death or major disability at two years by 17%, reflecting a 30% reduction in relative mortality with no difference in major disability.