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Labor does not affect the neonatal absolute nucleated red blood cell count
Galit Sheffer-Mimouni1, Francis B Mimouni, Ronit Lubetzky
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv, Israel.
American Journal of Perinatology
|December 5, 2003
Summary
Physiologic labor does not impact neonatal nucleated red blood cell (RBC) counts. This study found similar nucleated RBC levels in infants born vaginally versus by cesarean delivery, suggesting labor doesn't cause significant fetal stress.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Hematology
- Obstetrics
- Fetal Physiology
Background:
- Neonatal nucleated red blood cells (RBCs) are indicators of fetal stress.
- The effect of labor on these markers is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if physiologic labor influences neonatal nucleated RBC counts.
- To compare nucleated RBC counts in infants born via elective cesarean delivery versus vaginal delivery.
Main Methods:
- Compared absolute nucleated RBC counts at 6 hours of life.
- Analyzed venous blood samples from term infants (n=32 cesarean, n=28 vaginal).
- Controlled for factors like birth weight, gestational age, and maternal characteristics.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in absolute nucleated RBC counts between groups.
- Vaginally delivered infants had higher hematocrit and RBC counts.
- Platelet and leukocyte counts were similar between groups.
Conclusions:
- Physiologic labor does not significantly alter neonatal nucleated RBC counts.
- Labor is unlikely to induce severe or prolonged fetal hypoxemia.
- Findings support the absence of hematological evidence of increased erythropoiesis due to labor.