Elevated nucleated red blood cell count: a population-based study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence and causes of elevated nucleated red blood cell (NRBC) count.


METHODS
We conducted a 1-year, population-based surveillance study that included pregnant women and their infants from our medical center, which serves as a tertiary referral hospital. Outcome measures included NRBC count, gestational age, mode of delivery, birth weight, Apgar scores, cord blood gasses, rate of neonatal intensive care unit admission. Statistical analyses were performed with Mann-Whitney U-test, independent samples t test, chi2 test, Fisher's exact test and Spearman's correlation test, as appropriate.


RESULTS
NRBC count obtained from 423 women had a median of 4 (0-163). A cutoff point of 13.5 for predicting fetal acidosis had the highest combined sensitivity (77.8%) and specificity (84%). Three hundred forty-nine neonates had a NRBC count < or = 13.5, whereas 73 had > 13.5. Logistic regression analysis revealed that preeclampsia (OR = 5.9, 95% CI = 2.8-12.3) remained the most prominent risk factor for elevated NRBC count.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated NRBC appears to be associated with preeclampsia.
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and of Hematology, Turgut Ozal Medical Centre, School of Medicine, Inönü University, Malatya, Turkey. ustunyus@yahoo.com
Yusuf
Y
Ustün
Yaprak
Y
Engin-Ustün
Emin
E
Kaya
M Mutlu
MM
Meydanli
Nalan
N
Kulak
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology