Impact of Delayed Cord Clamping on Red Blood Cell Transfusion and Related Outcomes in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Objective Delayed cord clamping (DCC) for 30 to 60 seconds after birth facilitates placental transfusion, increases blood volume, and decreases red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in preterm infants. Study objective was to determine (1) RBC transfusion burden over a 5-year period, (2) impact of DCC practice on RBC transfusions, and (3) association of RBC transfusion on outcomes in very low birthweight (VLBW) preterm infants.Study Design A retrospective medical chart review was performed in 787 VLBW infants between 2016 and 2020. Demographic factors, DCC status, number of RBC transfusions, and neonatal outcomes were determined in eligible infants. Adjusted association between DCC, RBC transfusion, and outcomes were determined using logistic and linear regression methods.Results Of the 538 eligible VLBW infants, 62% ( N = 332) received RBC transfusions. Proportion receiving RBC transfusion were significantly higher for infants <1,000 g ( N = 217, 65.4%) and gestational age (GA) <29 weeks ( N = 256, 77.1%) than larger (1,001-1,250 g, N = 77, 23.2% and 1,251-1,500 g, N = 38, 11.4%) and older GA = 29 weeks' infants ( N = 76, 22.9%, p < 0.05). Of the 81/538 (15.1%) who received DCC, 48 (59.2%) received no RBC transfusion ( p < 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, preterm infants with DCC were 55% less likely to receive RBC transfusions as compared with infants with no DCC. At any given GA, the number of RBC transfusions in preterm infants with DCC was 25% lower as compared with infants without DCC ( p < 0.05). Transfusion was associated with 8-fold increased odds for bronchopulmonary dysplasia and 4-fold increased odds for medical and surgically treated patent ductus arteriosus compared with no transfusion. There was no significant association of transfusion with neonatal sepsis, laser treated retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, and intraventricular hemorrhage.Conclusion DCC was significantly associated with reduced RBC transfusion, but fewer preterm infants received DCC. Further research is needed to explore the feasibility of providing neonatal resuscitation during DCC in preterm infants.