Does Labor Affect Neonatal NRBC Count?

Nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) enter the circulation in response to hypoxia, but it remains unknown how physiological delivery without fetal distress can change the NRBC level. Accordingly, in the present study, we compared the mean NRBCs per white blood cell (WBC) in the umbilical cord of normal vaginal delivery (NVD) with cesarean section (C/S). To compare the mean NRBCs per WBC within umbilical cord in normal term newborns who were born by NVD with those delivered by C/S. 

This case-control study was conducted for 305 neonates in two different groups, i.e., NVD (case) and C/S (control) groups. The blood samples were taken from umbilical veins to evaluate fetal NRBCs and WBC count after recording their demographic characteristics. Finally, all data were assessed using SPSS 16.

The average age of mothers was 25.79±5.35 years. The average Apgar score of neonates was 8.23±0.6. The average NRBC count was 4.63±5.2. There was no significant difference in maternal age, parity, neonatal weight, and NRBC count per 100 WBCs between the two groups. 

In the present study, the mean NRBC count within the umbilical cord of neonates born by elective C/S was less than those delivered by NVD, although this difference was not significant.