Delayed cord clamping increases placental transfusion, improving which neonatal attributes?

• A. Blood glucose stability.
• B. Respiratory stability.
• C. Iron stores and circulating volume.
• D. Jaundice risk reduction.

Answer: (C)

Delaying cord clamping allows more placental blood to flow into the newborn, increasing both circulating blood volume and the amount of iron delivered at birth. That extra placental transfusion raises the baby’s hemoglobin and ferritin levels, meaning better iron stores that support healthy iron status in the first months of life. So the most accurate improvement from delayed cord clamping is enhanced iron stores and circulating volume.

The other ideas aren’t the primary benefit here. Glucose stability isn’t directly tied to the amount of placental transfusion, and respiratory stability isn’t the main measurable outcome of this practice. Jaundice risk tends to rise somewhat with more red blood cells and higher bilirubin production, not decrease, so it isn’t an improvement in this context.