Cord blood nucleated RBCs – an early marker of birth Asphyxia
Abstract
Introduction: Birth asphyxia can cause morbidity and mortality to newborn babies. One of the leading indicators of birth asphyxia is the presence of nucleated red blood corpuscles (NRBCs) in cord blood of the newborn taken at 5 minutes after delivery. We intended to study the impact of asphyxia on presence of NRBCs and the relation between NRBCs and immediate outcome of the child.
Methods: The study included 170 children. About 85 children with asphyxia and 85 normal babies were considered. Inclusion criteria for study group were a 5 minute Apgar score less than 7. All data were collected from the case sheets of the newborn babies. Cord blood was collected from both groups of children, levels of NRBCs assessed and correlated with level of asphyxia and short term clinical outcomes.
Results: The NRBC counts in cord blood as percentage of WBC count of newborn with asphyxia (15.76%) was found to be significantly higher than the control group children (4.28%). The NRBC levels also exhibited a significant negative correlation with the APGAR scores at 5 minutes. A significantly positive correlation was seen between the NRBC count and both severity of asphyxia and adverse outcomes.
Conclusion: The NRBC count as percentage of WBC count in cord blood, collected 5 minutes after delivery is a simple marker for assessment of severity of asphyxia and its perinatal outcomes.
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References
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Copyright (c) 2016 Author (s). Published by Siddharth Health Research and Social Welfare Society
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