HeartKids is supporting the DELIGHT Pilot Study, led by the University of Sydney, which has recently commenced at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Westmead Hospital.
This study is exploring an important question for babies diagnosed with a heart condition before birth: when is the best time to clamp the umbilical cord?
In many healthy pregnancies, delayed cord clamping (waiting at least 60 seconds) is recommended, as it can reduce the risk of anaemia, disability and death in newborns. However, babies with critical congenital heart disease have largely been excluded from previous research, meaning there is limited evidence to guide care for this group.
The DELIGHT Pilot Study aims to address this gap. It will examine whether delayed cord clamping improves outcomes for these babies, including increasing the number of red blood cells in their blood (haematocrit). The study will include around 90 babies born after 34 weeks of pregnancy with a serious heart condition diagnosed before birth, comparing delayed cord clamping with early cord clamping.
Researchers will follow participating babies for at least 3 to 4 months, with the potential to extend to 12 months if further funding is secured.
Why this matters
This is the first study of its kind focused on babies with critical congenital heart disease. The findings will help build much-needed evidence to guide clinical care and improve outcomes for babies and families navigating a diagnosis.
HeartKids is proud to support research like this, helping ensure Australian families have access to care informed by evidence, inclusive of our CoHD community.
For scientific enquiries, contact himanshu.popat@sydney.edu.au
For general enquiries, contact delight.study@sydney.edu.au
