Nucleated red blood cells in infants of women with preterm labor and pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Neonatal nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) are generally found in the cord blood and an elevated count could be considered a marker of fetal hypoxia. Increased NRCB count is related to Rhsensitization ABO incompatibility anemia diabetes mellitus twin pregnancy preterm birth and intra-uterine growth restriction. This study compared NRBC counts among 3 groups of newborns 21 who were delivered for pre-eclampsia 25 born after spontaneous-onset preterm labor and 50 born at term with no pregnancy complications. Newborns with other perinatal risk factors for intrauterine asphyxia or altered erythropoiesis known to affect NRBC count were excluded. (excerpt)