A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics and highlighted in the Globe and Mail examined the long-term neurodevelopment effects of delayed cord blood clamping.

This Swedish study followed up kids at 4 years of age who had been randomized at birth to either early cord clamping (within 10 seconds of birth) or delayed cord clamping (at least 3 minutes after birth) as part of a previous controlled trial.

Neurodevelopment was assessed using standardized questions and tests that examined intelligence, communication, problem solving, social skills, and motor skills. Boys and girls were compared separately in order to control for differences attributed to sex alone.

It was found that the delayed cord clamping improved scores in the fine-motor and social skills, especially for boys.

For more information on the study please visit the Globe & Mail or JAMA Pediatrics.