OBJECTIVETo investigate the influencing factors for the time of umbilical cord separation in full-term newborns.

METHODSThe time of umbilical cord separation was recorded in 337 full-term newborns. Single factor and multifactor unconditioned logistic regression were performed to investigate the influencing factors of umbilical cord separation. Fourteen possible factors associated with the time of umbilical cord separation, including sex, gestational age, body weight, position of umbilical cord ligature, length of umbilical cord stump, umbilical cord diameter, cleanness of umbilical cord paster, hand cleanness of medical staff and family members and umbilical infection, were involved.

RESULTSThe single factor correlative analysis demonstrated that the position of umbilical cord ligature, length of umbilical cord stump, umbilical cord diameter, cleanness of umbilical cord paster, and umbilical infection were influencing factors for the time of umbilical cord separation (P<0.05). The multifactor unconditioned logistic regression analysis demonstrated four major influencing factors for umbilical cord separation: position of umbilical cord ligature, length of umbilical cord stump, cleanness of umbilical cord paster, and umbilical infection.

CONCLUSIONSThe following factors contribute to early separation of umbilical cord: the proper position of umbilical cord ligature (<0.5 cm to umbilical ring), the umbilical cord stump of <0.5 cm, keeping the umbilical cord paster clean and the prevention of umbilical infection.