For babies who are born prematurely, scientists have found what appears to be a way to increase the survival rates of the preemies, as well as keep blood pressure from skyrocketing after birth, and the answer comes in the form of delayed cord clamping after birth.

Over the years there has been evidence that delayed cord clamping in full-term babies leads to a host of health benefits. According to the American Pregnancy Association, by delaying the clamping from "25 seconds to five minutes," the transfer of iron-rich blood from the placenta to the baby not only increases the volume of blood in the newborn's body but also provides the baby's body with a shot of iron that is necessary for brain development.

With this in mind, researchers began implementing delayed cord clamping on preterm babies and found that by doing so, according to The University of Sydney, the preemies had a better chance of survival.

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According to a study published in the journal, Pediatrics, Lead Author of the study, Dr. Anne Lene Seidlerthe, said babies who had their cord clamping delayed, even shortly, "improved infant outcomes."

Another strategy that was used as an alternative treatment was milking the cord. It was also found to be beneficial, but according to Dr. Seidler, should not be used if the baby is born before 28-weeks gestation.

These treatments fall in line with a study that was published in 2019 in the JAMA Network Open that too showed delayed clamping increased the chances of a premature baby's survival.

The author of that study, Dr. Abhay Lodha, MD, also found as a result of his research that delaying cord clamping gave the babies' blood pressure a chance to stabilize.

This is important because if the blood pressure is too high, the "blood pressure can rupture their blood vessels, causing a brain hemorrhage," according to Dr. Lodha.

The associate professor in the departments of Paediatrics and Community Health Sciences at the Cumming School of Medicine stated that the delayed cord clamping did not have to last for an extended period. As little as "30 to 60 seconds" is all that the babies need to benefit their health.

Dr. Seidler also stated that babies did not need to have their umbilical cords unclamped for a long time. And as long as there were no life-saving procedures that needed to be conducted, all preterm babies should be allowed to have a few moments before their cord is clamped to receive all the benefits they can from the blood they shared with their mother.

The expectation is that when a simultaneous review is completed, it will come back with the same conclusions, and then the practice can be implemented permanently of delaying cord clamping for not only full-term but premature babies and their brains as well.

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Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, The University of Sydney, Medical Xpress, American Pregnancy, Pediatrics, JAMA Network Open