Acute funisitis is associated with distinct changes in fetal hematologic profile

Abstract

Objective: Acute funisitis is a histologic hallmark of the fetal inflammatory response syndrome. This study was conducted to examine the hematologic profiles of preterm newborns with funisitis.Methods: The hematologic profiles of umbilical cord blood obtained at birth were compared according to the presence or absence of acute funisitis in 197 preterm neonates (gestational age before 34 weeks) born to mothers with preterm labor with intact membranes or premature rupture of membranes.Results: (1) Funisitis was identified in 22.3% (44/197) of patients; (2) newborns with funisitis had higher median leukocyte, neutrophil, monocyte counts (p < 0.005 for each), higher rate of neutrophilia (p < 0.05), higher proportion of neutrophils among leukocytes and lower proportion of lymphocytes among leukocytes than those without funisitis (p < 0.01 for each); (3) newborns with funisitis had a significantly lower median RBC count, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit than those without funisitis (p < 0.05 for each); (4) there was no significant difference in the median lymphocyte, eosinophil, basophil, NRBC and platelet counts between the two groups (p > 0.1 for each).Conclusions: The hematologic profiles of preterm newborns with funisitis are characterized by increased total white blood cell, neutrophil, and monocyte counts and decreased RBC count and hemoglobin concentration.