title: Factor predicting total nucleated cell counts in cord blood units.
abstract: Cord blood (CB) stem cells have been used worldwide in transplant medicine to treat various diseases. The efficacy of stem cells in umbilical CB (UCB) can be predicted by the number of total nucleated cells (TNCs). To optimize the clinical use of stem cells in our population, this study addresses several variables affecting the TNC count.
  
  
  
  This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in a single center from 2012 to 2014. In total, 957 CB units (CBUs) were collected from consented mothers. Data analyses of clinically accepted CBUs were correlated with maternal and infant factors.
  
  
  
  Based on the TNC accepted level of banking, 188 CBUs (19.64%) were rejected. Of the 16 maternal and infant variables evaluated, three factors demonstrated a statistically significant predictive value for the accepted TNC level. CB volume was the best predictive factor (p ≤ 0.0001), followed by newborn birth weight (p = 0.025), and the method of delivery (p = 0.002).
  
  
  
  Several maternal, neonatal, and obstetric factors appear to play a major role in predicting an accepted TNC count, which can be used to improve criteria for the donation of stem cells in CBUs.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences.
authors.forename: Reham
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Al-Qahtani
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Hedythi
authors.affiliation: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Cord blood bank, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Suha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arab
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences.
authors.forename: Amal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aljuhani
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. jawdatd@ngha.med.sa.|King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Cord blood bank, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.. jawdatd@ngha.med.sa.
authors.forename: Dunia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jawdat
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D000094902:Blood Banking / Q000379:methods*; D001810:Blood Volume; D036101:Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012737:Sex Factors