Role of Delayed Cord Clamping in Limiting Blood Transfusion in Preterm Babies’: A Series of Three Nigerian Cases
Nwokeforo U Nathan
Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Abia state, Nigeria and Accord Childrens Clinic, Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria.
Ezuruike O Ezinwa *
Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Abia state, Nigeria.
Okorochukwu Bartholomew
Vaden Specialists Clinics Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria.
Onumajuru Chiemeka
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The management of preterm babies are usually challenging with one significant issue being anaemia, which often requires multiple blood transfusions and their associated complications. Delayed cord clamping during delivery have been identified as a proactive measure to reduce the need for multiple blood transfusion in preterm babies. We present three case series of preterm babies delivered and managed with intentional delayed cord clamping [DCC], to strengthen the advocacy for the practice particularly in developing and less developed nations where blood transfusion facilities and practice may be inadequate.
Keywords: Blood transfusion, preterm, delayed cord clamping