Publications by authors named "Emily N Mercer"
Objective: This study aimed to determine if delayed cord clamping (DCC) affected brain myelin water volume fraction (VFm) and neurodevelopment in term infants.
Study Design: This was a single-blinded randomized controlled trial of healthy pregnant women with term singleton fetuses randomized at birth to either immediate cord clamping (ICC) (≤ 20 seconds) or DCC (≥ 5 minutes). Follow-up at 12 months of age consisted of blood work for serum iron indices and lead levels, a nonsedated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), followed within the week by neurodevelopmental testing.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to determine if delayed umbilical cord clamping (DCC) impacts brain myelination in infants at 4 months of age compared to immediate clamping (ICC).
- Involving 73 healthy term pregnant women, the results showed that infants with DCC had higher ferritin levels and greater brain myelin content in key areas related to motor and sensory functions.
- The findings suggest that DCC, which allows for more blood transfer to the baby, may promote better early brain development, although there were no significant differences in neurodevelopmental testing outcomes between the two groups.