Related article Does the timing of umbilical cord clamping at delivery affect an infant’s long-term iron status? Athol P. Kent, MBChB, MPhil, and David L. Woods, MBChB, MD, DCH (Examining the Evidence, March 2012)
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The fine points of delayed cord clamping
Dr. Woods points out that delaying umbilical cord clamping for 3 minutes after delivery allows for substantial transfusion of blood from the placenta to the newborn. This extra blood protects the child from iron deficiency, producing a 45% increase in iron stores that is measurable at 4 months of age.