Drs. Lakeshur Green, Keisha Britton and Dean Allyssa L. Harris authored a manuscript that reviewed the results of two research studies on the benefits of deferred cord clamping verses cord milking on infant health outcomes. Published in the journal Nursing for Women’s Health, this article provides evidence for clinical practice change that can improve patient outcomes.
Preterm labor and birth present significant challenges worldwide, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality among both mothers and infants. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 13.4 million infants were born prematurely in 2020 (WHO, 2021). One evidence-based strategy to reduce health complications for preterm neonates is deferred cord clamping. However, despite strong supporting evidence, deferred cord clamping has not been widely adopted. Barriers include limited knowledge, lack of colleague support, inconsistent clinical guidelines, and skepticism regarding the importance of placental transfusion (Anton et al., 2019; Erickson-Owens et al., 2023). Nurses play a critical role in addressing these barriers, as their primary responsibilities include patient education and advocacy.
Implications for clinical practice.
To promote the adoption of deferred cord clamping, nurses can take several evidence-based steps. First, they should engage in continuing education to strengthen their knowledge of the benefits and safety of deferred cord clamping for preterm infants. Second, nurses can advocate for institutional policy changes, encouraging the inclusion of deferred cord clamping in standardized clinical guidelines. Third, collaboration with interprofessional teams is essential to foster colleague support and address misconceptions about placental transfusion. Additionally, nurses can serve as educators for patients and families, explaining the rationale and potential benefits of deferred cord clamping in a clear and supportive manner. By combining advocacy, education, and collaboration, nurses are uniquely positioned to influence practice change and improve outcomes for preterm neonates.
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Article citation:
Britton, K., Green, L. & Harris, A.L. (2025). Timing of umbilical cord clamping and cord milking and preterm infant outcomes, Nursing for Women’s Health, Volume 29, Issue 4, 260 – 263
References
Anton, O., Jordan, H., & Rabe, H. (2019). Strategies for implementing placental transfusion at birth: A systematic review. Birth, 46(3), 411– 427. https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12398
Seidler, A. L., Aberoumand, M., Hunter, K. E., Barba, A., Libesman, S., Williams, J. G., … iCOMP Collaborators. (2023). Deferred cord clamping, cord milking, and immediate cord clamping at preterm birth: A systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. The Lancet, 402(10418), 2209–2222. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140- 6736(23)02468-6
World Health Organization. (2021). Anemia in women and children. https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/topics/anaemia_in_women_and_children