INFLUENCE OF MATERNAL CORTICOSTEROID (CS) ADMINISTRATION ON NEONATAL NEUTROPHIL COUNT

Abstract

Measurements of absolute neutrophil and band counts are now utilized with increasing frequency for the early diagnosis of infection in neonates. Unfortunately all the factors that may influence the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) during this period of life have not been elucidated. For this purpose ANC were de-determined at 3, 12-15, 48 and 72 hrs. of life in 4 groups of Caucasian premature infants who were appropriate weight for gestational age. One group did not develop respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), one group did, while a third group were born after their mothers received corticosteroids (CS) for 3 days prior to delivery - some of these infants developed RDS and others did not. The ANC (×103/mm3 ± ISD) in these infants are depicted below:These studies illustrate that the administration of CS to mothers significantly increases the ANC of their offspring if they do not develop RDS (p <.005). The CS had no effect in infants who developed RDS. The ANC in neonates is influenced by maternal CS therapy and may be of predictive value in identifying those CS treated patients who will develop RDS.