Nucleated red blood cells as a marker in acute and chronic fetal asphyxia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the variations of nucleated red blood cell (NRBC) counts in acute and chronic fetal hypoxia and to examine if it could be possible to establish a cutoff value for the number of NRBCs for prediction of fetal acidosis.


METHODS
We prospectively studied 77 pregnant women. Patients were grouped as acute (n=11) and chronic fetal distress (n=21) and controls (n=45). At delivery the umbilical cord was double clamped and blood samples were collected.


RESULTS
The mean NRBC counts in chronic fetal distress group was higher than acute fetal distress. NRBC counts were found to be correlated with umbilical cord pH (r=-0.57; P<0.001). The cutoff value predicting fetal acidosis was determined as 14/100 leukocytes (sensitivity 87%, specificity 81%) by using ROC analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
The duration and the severity of fetal asphyxia may be predicted by the number of NRBCs per leukocyte.
Saraçoglu
F
F
Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Obstetric and Gynecology Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
Sahin
I
I
Eser
E
E
Göl
K
K
Türkkani
B
B
D000142:Acidosis, Respiratory / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004900:Erythroblasts; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000592:standards*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity