The combined detection of umbilical cord nucleated red blood cells and lactate: early prediction of neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

OBJECTIVE: To establish a simple and quick method that could be used to predict the occurrence of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) as early as possible by investigating the variations of nucleated red blood cells per 100 white blood cell (NRBC/100 WBC) counts and lactate levels in cord blood. METHODS: In 46 cases of acute fetal distress (AFD) and 54 cases of chronic fetal distress (CFD) neonates we measured the percentage (NRBCs/100 WBC) and lactate in the umbilical blood. RESULTS: Both lactate levels and NRBC/100WBC counts were higher in CFD and AFD groups than in controls (both P<0.01). The numbers of NRBC/100 WBC and the values of lactate in moderate-severe HIE group were higher than in mild-HIE group (P=0.002 and P=0.042, respectively). The combined sensitivity and specificity was 94% and 96% at 15NRBC/100WBC and 4.25 mmol/L level by combined detecting NRBC and lactate to predict HIE. Three infants (including 1 death and 2 survivors) had the highest levels of NRBC/100WBC and lactate in cord blood, and the 2 survivors had the lowest mental development index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI). CONCLUSIONS: Combined detection with NRBC/100WBC and lactate allows early prediction of development and severity of HIE. The levels of these parameters are related to the neurodevelopment outcome of HIE infants.