Abstract

Objectives: Iron deficiency and anemia arising from that, are one of the major health problems in the world and especially in Iran. It can cause impaired growth evolution, impaired Coordination of the nervous system, reducing the power of learning, decrease underachievement, impaired immune system. In this study, we are going to show that delayed cord clamping and milking at birth can reduce iron deficiency and it's complications in newborn extending into infancy. Materials and Methods: This cohort study was performed on 100 neonates born with cesarean section at Amiralmomenin Hospital, in Zabol, in 2014, who were randomly assigned in 2 groups, 50 neonates with early cord clamping and 50 neonates with milking the cord 5 times toward baby and clamping after 1 minute of birth. Then all neonates were examined for hemoglobin level at 48 hours, serum billirubin at 48 hours of birth and serum ferritin at 6 weeks of age. Results: The mean hemoglobin levels at 48 hours of life and the mean ferritin levels at 6 weeks of age were significantly higher in intervention group as compared with control group (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed in serum billirubin level in 2 groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Umbilical cord milking and delayed cord clamping vs. early cord clamping are safe procedures that improve hemoglobin and ferritin levels in infancy without causing significant increase in jaundice and need of phototherapy so these prosedures maybe reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia.