Impact of race and gestational age on red blood cell indices in very low birth weight infants.
BACKGROUND
Normative data for hematologic values in the very low birth weight infants are limited and inconsistent, with the reported mean hematocrit (HCT) in these infants ranging from 43.5% to 60%. No data are available on the effect of race.


OBJECTIVE
To establish normative data for hemoglobin (Hb) and HCT by arterial sampling obtained during the first 3 hours after birth in black and white premature infants </=31 weeks of gestation.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review of all infants </= 31 weeks of gestation born between June 1994 and October 1998.


METHODS
infant </=31 weeks of gestation who had an arterial blood sample obtained in the first 3 hours after birth.


METHODS
infants were excluded if they had any medical condition that may affect the red blood cell indices (eg, twin-to-twin transfusion or fetomaternal hemorrhage).


RESULTS
Of 428 infants, 188 who met both inclusion and exclusion criteria were classified into 3 gestational age groups: group 1 = 23 to 25 weeks of gestation (n = 40); group 2 = 26 to 28 weeks (n = 60); and group 3 = 29 to 31 weeks (n = 88). There were statistically significant differences between groups 1 and 3 in HCT, Hb, mean corpuscular Hb (MCH), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). No differences in HCT and Hb values were noted in relation to sex, mode of delivery, multiple gestation, antenatal steroids, or maternal smoking. In group 3, the mean Hb, HCT, and MCV values were higher in white infants than in black infants (16.7 +/- 1.6 g/dL vs 15.4 +/- 1. 7 g/dL; 50.0 +/- 5.0 vs 45.5 +/- 4.6; and 112 +/- 5 fL vs 107 +/- 8 fL, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Hb, HCT, and MCH values are described for premature infants </=31 weeks of gestation born in North America. Hb and HCT increased, whereas MCV decreased with gestational age. Hb, HCT, and MCV values are statistically higher in white infants than in black infants.
Division of Neonatology and Department of Pediatrics, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44109, USA. pradeepalur@msn.com
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D044383:Black People; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006400:Hematocrit; D006452:Hemoglobinometry; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009820:Ohio; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American