title: Leukocyte counts in relation to the method of delivery during the first five days of life.
abstract: The goal of the present study was to evaluate total and differential leukocyte counts during the first 5 days of life in relation to the method of delivery. We included 203 healthy term infants; of these, 114 were born by vaginal delivery, and 89 by elective cesarean section. Total and differential leukocyte counts were evaluated at the following intervals: 0-6, 7-12, 13-24, 25-48, 49-72, 73-96, and 97-120 h after birth. The cord serum cortisol level was measured as an indicator of the degree of delivery-related stress. Mean leukocyte and neutrophil counts were higher in infants born by vaginal delivery in cord blood and up to 12 h of life. No significant differences were observed in the immature: total neutrophil ratios between the two groups of infants. The cord serum cortisol level was higher in vaginally delivered infants. A significant correlation was found between cortisol and leukocyte, neutrophil, or lymphocyte counts. The method of delivery produces significantly different total leukocyte and neutrophil counts during the first 12 h after birth; after this time, there appears to be no more variation of leukocyte counts during the first 5 days of life.
authors: Division of Neonatal Intensive Care, Policlinico San Matteo, IRCCS, and University of Pavia, Italy. chirico@venus.it
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Chirico
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Gasparoni
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Ciardelli
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Martinotti
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Rondini
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D009504:Neutrophils; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone