Golden Minute and Newborn Care: What Should Be Done in the First 60 Seconds After Birth?
Entrance
The first 60 seconds after birth, the Golden Minute, is the most critical time for your baby to step into a healthy life. Applications made during this period; It plays a decisive role in the baby's breathing, circulation, temperature balance and initial bonding process. The World Health Organization (WHO), American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), CDC and Turkish Neonatology Association (TND) particularly emphasize the importance of this period.
Why is the Golden Minute Important?
neonatal adaptation
– Doğumla birlikte bebekte solunum, dolaşım ve ısı regülasyonu hızla devreye girer.
– Bu dönemde yapılan basit uygulamalar, ömür boyu sağlık üzerinde kalıcı etkilere sahiptir.
Golden Minute in international guides
– WHO ve ACOG, Altın Dakika’da geciktirilmiş kordon klemplemeyi önermektedir.
– AAP ve TND, Vitamin K uygulaması ve Hepatit B aşısını doğum sonrası ilk saatlerde zorunlu kabul etmektedir.
– Sağlık Bakanlığı Yenidoğan İzlem Protokolü’nde de “Altın Dakika” kavramı açıkça yer alır.
Routine Practices in Healthy Babies
Delaying the cord
The cord is cut after waiting 30-60 seconds after birth. Additional blood flow to the baby occurs, and hemoglobin and iron stores increase. It reduces the risk of intraventricular bleeding in preterm babies.
Drying and removing wet covers
Wet linens are quickly removed and the baby is dried. The risk of hypothermia is reduced.
Putting on a hat and gloves
It is applied to prevent heat loss from the head and extremities.
skin-to-skin contact
The baby is laid on the mother's breast and a warm blanket is covered on her back. Thermal balance is maintained, bonding is strengthened, and breastfeeding becomes easier.
eye care
Prophylaxis is performed to prevent eye infections.
Vitamin K injection
It prevents neonatal bleeding (VKDB).
Hepatitis B vaccine
It reduces the risk of transmitting the virus from mother to baby. It is recommended to do it in the first 24 hours.
first examination
The baby's vital signs such as breathing, pulse, and muscle tone are evaluated. Weight, height and head circumference are measured. Congenital anomalies and trauma findings are checked.
Special Situations
Babies born prematurely
Although basic care is similar, additional precautions are needed to prevent hypothermia and respiratory problems.
Babies with health problems
Resuscitation and additional interventions may be performed in babies with low Apgar scores, birth trauma, or risk of severe infection.
Risk factors in the mother
In cases of hepatitis B, HIV or active infections, the baby's care protocol is specially regulated.
Prominent Findings in the Literature
– Geciktirilmiş kordon klempleme → daha yüksek hemoglobin ve demir depoları (ACOG, 2020).
– Ten-tene temas → hipotermi riskinde %70 azalma, emzirme başarısında artış (WHO, 2017).
– Vitamin K uygulanmayan bebeklerde → geç tip VKDB ve beyin içi kanama riski belirgin yüksek (AAP, 2022).
– Hepatit B aşısı → doğumda yapılmazsa anneden geçiş riski %90’a kadar çıkabilir; aşılanan bebeklerde %10’un altına düşer (CDC, 2023).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why isn't the baby washed immediately during the Golden Minute?
Because early bathing causes the baby to lose heat. Thermal balance is maintained by drying and skin-to-skin contact.
Is late cord cutting harmful?
No. On the contrary, it increases the baby's blood volume. The only risk is that the chance of jaundice increases slightly. This can be managed with follow-up and phototherapy.
Is Vitamin K injection mandatory? Does it have any side effects?
Vitamin K injections are the gold standard for preventing neonatal bleeding. It has no serious side effects.
What happens if the hepatitis B vaccine is not given at birth?
If the mother is a Hepatitis B carrier, the probability of transmission to the baby increases to 90% if the vaccine is not given at birth.
Is the Golden Minute applied the same for premature babies?
Yes, the core practices remain the same; however, additional precautions are taken for hypothermia and respiratory support.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Golden Minute practices—cord lagging, drying, hat and gloves, skin-to-skin contact, eye care, Vitamin K injection, Hepatitis B vaccine, and initial examination—should be routine for all healthy babies.
Although care for premature babies or babies with health problems is basically similar, additional interventions may be required.
To get more information about Golden Minute and newborn care, you can contact our clinic in Izmir Alsancak.
Source
1. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 814: Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping After Birth, 2020.
2. WHO. Delayed umbilical cord clamping for improved maternal and infant health outcomes. 2014.
3. American Academy of Pediatrics. Vitamin K and the Newborn Infant. Pediatrics, 2022.
4. CDC. Hepatitis B Perinatal Vaccine Guidance. 2023.
5. Turkish Neonatology Association. Newborn Resuscitation Guide and Clinical Practice Recommendations.
6. T.R. Ministry of Health. National Immunization Schedule and Newborn Surveillance Protocols.
Golden Minute, newborn care, delayed cord cutting, Vitamin K injection, Hepatitis B vaccine, skin-to-skin contact, eye care, baby examination, Izmir pediatrician, neonatal doctor
