Correlation of haematological parameters and C-reactive protein between cord blood and first post-natal blood sample in preterm neonates: A prospective observational study.

Abstract

There is some recent evidence on the utility of the cord blood as a reliable source for admission complete blood count in preterm neonates. However, there is a need to validate other laboratory parameters from the cord blood such as C-reactive protein (CRP) to rule out neonatal sepsis. The present study was carried out to evaluate the correlation between haematological parameters and CRP obtained from the cord blood to the first post-natal blood sample, for it to be considered as a reliable alternative. A total of 89 paired cord blood and first post-natal blood samples were prospectively analysed to assess the haematological parameters (complete blood count) and CRP. Pearson's coefficient was calculated to assess the correlation between the cord blood and the first post-natal blood sample. When Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated for various haematological parameters, it showed good correlation coefficient of 0.84 for total leukocyte count, 0.84 for absolute neutrophil count count, 0.87 for immature to total neutrophil ratio and 0.95 for CRP. The correlation coefficient was 0.64 for haemoglobin and 0.36 for platelet count. There is a strong correlation between the majority of haematological parameters and CRP obtained from the cord blood with the first post-natal blood sample in preterm neonates, except the platelet count. Hence, umbilical cord blood is a feasible and reliable alternative source for assessment of haematological parameters and CRP for the first post-natal blood sample, thereby avoiding a painful prick in these fragile preterm neonates.