Neonatal Transitional Physiology: A New Paradigm

Authors

Judith S. Mercer, University of Rhode IslandFollow
Rebecca L. Skovgaard

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

2002

Department

Nursing

Abstract

Early clamping of the umbilical cord at birth, a practice developed without adequate evidence, causes neonatal blood volume to vary 25% to 40. Such a massive change occurs at no other time in one's life without serious consequences, even death. Early cord clamping may impede a successful transition and contribute to hypovolemic and hypoxic damage in vulnerable newborns. The authors present a model for neonatal transition based on and driven by adequate blood volume rather than by respiratory effort to demonstrate how neonatal transition most likely occurs at a normal physiologic birth.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing

Volume

15

Issue

4

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Mercer, J. S. & Skovgaard, R. L. (2002). Neonatal Transitional Physiology: A New Paradigm. The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing, 15(4), 56-57. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005237-200203000-00007

Available at: https://doi.org/10.1097/00005237-200203000-00007