Darina Chovancová
The practice of delayed umbilical cord clamping has shown many benefits to the newborn. In preterm neonates transitional period is improved, iron pool is enlarged, and risk of anaemia in the first year of life is decreased. In infants born after delayed cord clamping there has never been proven increased incidence of side effects. The delayed umbilical cord clamping 30 seconds up to 3 minutes is recommended in term deliveries, and between 1 to 3 minutes in preterm deliveries. The infant placing at or below the level of the placenta will increase the rate of transfusion from placenta. Early umbilical cord clamping immediately after birth is recommended in newborns of diabetic mothers, in hydrops, IUGR and in monochorionic biamniotic twins. Placental transfusion represents for the neonate a priority and it should be preferred prior to umbilical cord blood banking.