Nucleated Red Blood Cell Counts in Asphyxiated Newborns

The purpose of this study was to investigate variations in nucleated red blood cell count (NRBC) in blood associated with perinatal asphyxia. A total of 186 infants completed the study (cases n=62 (33.3%), controls n=124 (66.7%). Levels of nucleated red blood cell per 100 white blood cells and absolute nucleated red blood cell counts in umbilical venous blood were compared for asphyxiated and normal neonates. The mean NRBC/100 WBC count for case group 11.36±10.7, control group was 4.83±3.01, absolute NRBS count case group 1.75±2.44, control group was 0.74±0.62 (P<0.000). In present study NRBC/100WBC and absolute NRBC were significantly higher in neonates with birth asphyxia, and high levels of NRBC were associated with a low APGAR score, MSAF, fetal distress, degree of HIE (P<0.000). Hence NRBC count can be a useful part of the obstetrician’s armamentarium for the evaluation of perinatal asphyxia where facilities of pH sampling are not available and can serve as are liable, inexpensive and easily available marker of perinatal asphyxia.