title: The leukocyte count in labor.
abstract: The leukocyte count was evaluated in 479 laboring gravida women. Increasing leukocyte counts appeared to be linearly related to the duration of elapsed labor (y = 0.2174x + 10.31; p less than 0.001; 95% confidence interval of the slope = 0.1414 to 0.2934). Isolated mild elevations and mild increases of leukocyte count in labor may be managed expectantly. Elevations greater than 2 SD are unlikely to represent normal variation; a diligent search for unapparent infection is warranted.
mesh_terms: D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors