Impact of duration of delayed umbilical cord clamping on days of phototherapy in preterm neonates 23-35 weeks gestation-a retrospective, single-center cohort study.

To evaluate whether delayed cord clamping (DCC) duration predicts hyperbilirubinemia and phototherapy days among preterm infants of different gestational ages. In this retrospective cohort study, 2421 preterm infants inborn at Magee-Womens Hospital 2018-22 were stratified into 3 cohorts: <27wks (n = 206), 27-30 6/7wks (n = 464), and 31-34 6/7wks (n = 1751). DCC duration was assessed in 15 s intervals (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, >65 s). Bivariable analysis and multivariable regression assessed variables associated with phototherapy days. DCC occurred in 30%, 44%, and 63% of the cohorts, respectively. In bivariable analysis, DCC was associated with higher hemoglobin, peak bilirubin, and phototherapy days for the 31-34 6/7wk cohort only. DCC duration did not predict phototherapy days in adjusted multivariable analysis. Longer durations of DCC are not associated with increased phototherapy days in preterm neonates, supporting DCC safety and emphasizing the need to address barriers to consistent implementation.