All issues > Volume 35(11); 1992

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1992;35(11):1514-1519. Published online November 15, 1992.

The Significance of Nucleated Red Blood Cell Counts in Various Conditions Associated with Acute or Chronic Perinatal Asphyxia

Suck Kyu SK Hur¹, Moon Sang MS Park¹, Mee Kyung MK Namgoong¹, Hwang Min HM Kim¹, Jae Seung JS Yang¹, Baek Keun BK Lim¹, Jong Soo JS Kim¹, Myung Seo MS Kang²

¹Department of Pediatrics, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea, Department of Radiology
²Department of Clinical Pathology, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea, Department of Radiology

Abstract

This study was conducted to find out the significance of nucleated red blood cell (NRBC) in neonates, especially associated with acute or chronic perinatal asphyxia. So, we compared NRBC counts in various neonatal groups, such as normal newborn, small for gestational age (SGA), premature, acute perinatal asphyxia, & hyaline membrane disease (HMD). In the first day of life, we examined Wright stained peripheral blood smear with light microscope, and counted NRBC/100 WBCs. We also calculated absolute NRBC count. The results were as follows; 1) The average NRBC counts of normal newborns, fullterm SGA and premature appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates were 1.16/100 WBCs, 1.26/100 WBCs, 5.15/100 WBCs respectively. Also the average absolute NRBC counts were 1.34X109/L, 2.49X109/L, 6.73X109/L respectively. This data suggested that the average NRBC count of premature AGA neonates was higher than that of normal newborns. 2) The average NRBC count of asphyxiated fullterm neonates was 3.76/109 WBCs and the average absolute NRBC count was 6.49X109/L. So, we could conclude that the average NRBC count of asphyxiated fullterm neonates was much higher than that of normal newborns. 3) The average NRBC count of neonates with HMD was 17.76/100 WBCs and the average absolute NRBC count was 32.65X109/L. So, we could conclude that the average NRBC count of neonates with HMD was remarkably higher than that of other groups. 4) There was no significant difference between the two methods (NRBCS/100 WBCs, Absolute NRBC count) that could express NRBC counts. In conclusion, NRBC counts were increased in various conditions such as prematurity, acute perinatal hypoxia, and HMD.

Keywords :Nucleated red blood cell, Newborn, Premature, Small for gestational age, Neonation asphyxia, Hyaline membrane disease