Response of leukocytes and nucleated red blood cells in very low-birth weight preterm infants after exposure to intrauterine inflammation

Abstract

Objectives. To test the hypothesis if very immature preterm infants exposed to chorioamnionitis would exhibit increased numbers of leukocytes, neutrophils, and nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) in peripheral blood.

Study design. Preterm infants with birth weight <1500 g were prospectively evaluated. Blood cells were counted within the first hour of life in infants exposed to histological chorioamnionitis and controls.

Results. Birth weight, gestational age, and sex did not differ between the groups (n = 71). Seventeen infants who were exposed to chorioamnionitis had significantly higher counts of leukocytes, neutrophils, and immature neutrophils after birth. However, there was no difference in the number of circulating NRBCs between both groups. In contrast, there was a tendency towards an increased NRBC count in the control group.

Conclusion. Preterm infants exposed to chorioamnionitis elicited a strong inflammatory response as reflected by increased numbers of leukocytes and neutrophils. However, chorioamnionitis did not induce an increase in numbers of NRBC.

Keywords:

• Chorioamnionitis
• leukocytes
• nucleated red blood cells
• very low birth weight preterm infants

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.