Cord Haemoglobin Levels Research Articles

Editorial Commentary: Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy With Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine: The Controversy Continues

Editorial Commentary: Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy With Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine: The Controversy Continues

Malaria during pregnancy and foetal haematological status in Blantyre, Malawi

BackgroundAlthough maternal anaemia often stems from malaria infection during pregnancy, its effects on foetal haemoglobin levels are not straightforward. Lower-than-expected cord haemoglobin values in malarious versus non-malarious regions were noted by one review, which hypothesized they resulted from foetal immune activation to maternal malaria. This study addressed this idea by examining cord haemoglobin levels in relation to maternal malaria, anaemia, and markers of foetal immune activation.MethodsCord haemoglobin levels were examined in 32 malaria-infected and 58 uninfected women in Blantyre, Malawi, in relation to maternal haemoglobin levels, malaria status, and markers of foetal haematological status, hypoxia, and inflammation, including TNF-α, TGF-β, and ferritin. All women were HIV-negative.ResultsAlthough malaria was associated with a reduction in maternal haemoglobin (10.8 g/dL vs. 12.1 g/dL, p < 0.001), no reduction in cord haemoglobin and no significant relationship between maternal and cord haemoglobin levels were found. Cord blood markers of haematological and hypoxic statuses did not differ between malaria-infected and uninfected women. Maternal malaria was associated with decreased TGF-β and increased cord ferritin, the latter of which was positively correlated with parasitaemia (r = 0.474, p = 0.009). Increased cord ferritin was associated with significantly decreased birth weight and gestational length, although maternal and cord haemoglobin levels and malaria status had no effect on birth outcome.ConclusionIn this population, cord haemoglobin levels were protected from the effect of maternal malaria. However, decreased TGF-β and elevated ferritin levels in cord blood suggest foetal immune activation to maternal malaria, which may help explain poor birth outcomes.

Indomethacin for Treatment of Fetofetal Transfusion Syndrome

Indomethacin for Treatment of Fetofetal Transfusion Syndrome

Cord blood haemoglobin, iron and ferritin status in maternal anaemia.

Maternal and cord blood haemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin were studied in sets of 30 anaemic (haemoglobin less than 110 g/l) and 21 nonanaemic (haemoglobin greater than or equal to 110 g/l) mothers. The cord serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin concentrations had significant correlation with maternal haemoglobin. The significant low levels of these parameters suggested that maternal anaemia adversely affected the iron status including iron stores of the newborns. The cord serum iron of 15.2 +/- 4.35 mumol/l and ferritin of 29.7 +/- 10.93 ng/ml seem to be effective to maintain cord haemoglobin levels. Thus, anaemic mothers with reasonably maintained ferritin and transferrin saturation levels provide sufficient iron for maintenance of cord haemoglobin, although foetal iron stores are likely to be depleted.

The spectrum of ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn infant

A series of 1,704 infants of blood group O mothers have been studied to determine the relation between the degree of red cell sensitization and the cord hemoglobin and bilirubin concentrations. The infants with blood group A or B had significantly higher cord bilirubin and lower cord hemoglobin concentrations than the group O babies. Those infants whose red cells had the greatest evidence of sensitization had the highest bilirubin and lowest hemoglobin levels. The infants in whom no antibody was demonstrable on the red cells or in the red cell eluate also had significantly higher cord bilirubin and lower cord hemoglobin levels than the ABO compatible group; it is suggested that these infants had sufficient erythrocyte sensitization to produce mild hemolysis. ABO incompatibility represents a spectrum of hemolytic disease extending from those in which there is little laboratory evidence of erythrocyte sensitization, but evidence of hemolysis, to severe hemolytic disease in which erythrocyte sensitization is usually easily demonstrable.

18 ALPHA-THALASSEMIA INCIDENCE IN TURKEY

Starch gel (both at pH 8.6 and pH 7) and agar gel (pH 6.45) hemoglobin electrophoresis were carried out in the cord blood of 1100 full term babies. Trace amounts (not measurable column chromatography) of part's hemoglobin was shown in 795 (72.3 %) of the specimens; it was found to be more than trace (2 to .8 %) in 15 (1.36 %) babies. Trace amount of Hb A2 has also shown by starch gel electrophoresis in 102 cord bloods with trace Hb Bart's. In two cases with anencephaly Hb A2 was found to be elevated (2.8 and .3 % respectively). Although cord hemoglobin levels were found insignificantly decreased, the MCV and MC Hb values of the babies with elevated Bart's were found to be significantly lower than those of the babies without or with trace Bart's. The follow-up studies, and the hematological evaluation of their parents will be given in deatil.

Babies born alive after intrauterine transfusions for severe rhesus haemolytic disease.

SummaryFifty‐two babies born alive after intrauterine transfusions for severe rhesus haemolytic disease during a seven‐year period are described. There was a diagnostic error in one case in which the fetus proved to be rhesus negative. Thirty fetuses (58 per cent) survived. Most of the 22 deaths occurred during the early neonatal period.The main problems encountered at birth were severe birth asphyxia, hydrops fetalis, anaemia and hypothermia. Thirty‐four of the babies were asphyxiated at birth, 24 of these required abdominal paracentesis before adequate ventilation could beachieved. Of 21 babies born in a frankly hydropic condition 6 survived. Cord haemoglobin levels of less than 10 g. per 100 ml. were found in 29 infants; the lowest value was 3·4 g. per 100 ml. Twenty‐one babies became hypothermic. Undue trauma resulted from intrauterine transfusion in 9 babies, and one suffered liver injury during paracentesis after birth.The main problems encountered during the neonatal period were those of prematurity. The most important was respiratory distress which carried a very poor prognosis, due in part to pulmonary hypoplasia in hydropic babies. Other important problems were hypoglycaemia, enterocolitis, neurological abnormalities, protracted jaundice, congestive heart failure, infections and bleeding diathesis. Of the survivors old enough to be adequately assessed, all except three have developed normally.The implications of these findings are discussed.

HYPOGLYCEMIA AND HYPERINSULINEMIA ASSOCIATED WITH ERYTHROBLASTOSIS FETALIS

In a survey of blood glucose levels in 232 erythroblastotic infants during the first 3 days of life, 12 cases of significant hypoglycemia were revealed. Most of these had a severe primary disease; the incidence of hypoglycemia was 17.8% in patients with cord hemoglobin concentrations below 10 gm per 100 ml and 1.9% in those with higher cord hemoglobin levels. The low glucose values were usually observed during the first day of life and were unassociated with recognizable symptoms. Plasma insulin levels, determined in 39 cases before age 24 hours and prior to treatment, were shown to be negatively correlated with the cord hemoglobin concentrations. Hyperinsulinemia, directly correlated with the severity of the erythroblastosis, is postulated to be the cause of the low blood glucose levels. As another consequence of the hyperinsulinemia, a depression of the plasma free fatty acid concentrations was documented. The mechanism of the hyperinsulinemia, the therapeutic and prognostic implications of the hypoglycemia, as well as the effect of the depression of free fatty acid levels on the bilirubin-binding capacity of serum are briefly discussed.

THE VALUE OF IRON SUPPLEMENTATION DURING PREGNANCY.

Summary: Haemoglobin and haematocrit values of 174 healthy primigravidae and secundigravidae on adequate diets were studied. Haemoglobin and haematocrit levels were unrelated to dietary iron intake. There was no significant difference in haemoglobin and haematocrit values of primigravidae and secundigravidae. None of the women developed anaemia (haemoglobin below 10 gm./100 ml.) The value of iron supplementation on maternal haemoglobin and haematocrit values could not be demonstrated, although the iron supplemented group had significantly higher haemoglobin values in the third trimester and on the fifth day after delivery than the unsupplemented group. This was no longer apparent six weeks and three months after delivery. Maternal iron supplementation had no effect on the cord haemoglobin levels and those of the offspring six weeks, three months, and six months post‐natally.

Coproporphyrin content of amniotic fluid in normal and diseased infants

Coproporphyrin concentration has been determined in 207 samples of amniotic fluid obtained from 191 patients. Values of less than 3 μg per 100 ml. were found in all of 36 normal cases where fluid was obtained prior to the onset of labor. Slightly higher values were obtained during labor in normal subjects. Elevated values were commonly observed where the infant had erythroblastosis with significantly decreased cord hemoglobin levels. Elevated values were also seen in each of 12 cases of suspected fetal death where the infant was dead at birth but in none of 6 instances where a dead infant was suspected but not found. The procedure of amniocentesis was found to be a safe one.

Studies in prolonged pregnancy. II. Cord haemoglobin levels at delivery.

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & GynaecologyVolume 65, Issue 1 p. 1-3 STUDIES IN PROLONGED PREGNANCY Part II–Code Haemoglobin Levels at Delivery G. Bancroft-Livingston M.D., F.R.C.S., M.R.C.O.G., G. Bancroft-Livingston M.D., F.R.C.S., M.R.C.O.G. Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Queen's University, BelfastSearch for more papers by this authorO. D. Fisher M.D., M.R.C.P., D.C.H., O. D. Fisher M.D., M.R.C.P., D.C.H. Consultant Paediatrician, Formerly Lecturer Medway and Gravesend Hospital Group Department of Child Health, Queen's University, BelfastSearch for more papers by this author G. Bancroft-Livingston M.D., F.R.C.S., M.R.C.O.G., G. Bancroft-Livingston M.D., F.R.C.S., M.R.C.O.G. Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Queen's University, BelfastSearch for more papers by this authorO. D. Fisher M.D., M.R.C.P., D.C.H., O. D. Fisher M.D., M.R.C.P., D.C.H. Consultant Paediatrician, Formerly Lecturer Medway and Gravesend Hospital Group Department of Child Health, Queen's University, BelfastSearch for more papers by this author First published: February 1958 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1958.tb06197.xCitations: 9AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume65, Issue1February 1958Pages 1-3 RelatedInformation