Delaying umbilical cord clamping (CC) by 2 to 3 minutes after delivery allows fetal blood remaining in the placental circulation to be transfused to the newborn. This transfusion
can expand the blood volume by 30% to 40%(25-30 mL/kg). After physiologic hemolysis, hemoglobin-bound iron is transferred into iron stores. Consequently, delayed CC is associatedwith
improved iron status at 4 to 6months of age. Delayed CC has the potential to contribute approximately 75mg of iron, corresponding to more than 3months’ requirement in a 6- to 11-month-old infant.13 We have previously demonstrated a 90% reduction in iron deficiency at 4 months in
healthy full-term infants who received delayed CC with no adverse neonatal effects.However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the long-term effects and evidence of no harm, causing policymakers to be hesitant tomake clear recommendations concerning delayed CC in full-term infants, especially in settings with rich resources