Nucleated RBCs in cord blood as a predictor of fetal asphyxia

Background: Perinatal asphyxia is a major cause of acute mortality and chronic neurologic disability amongst survivors, and is a complication that occurs between 2-10% of deliveries. No single parameter can define perinatal asphyxia, rather a combination of parameters like fetal distress, meconium-stained liquor, low Apgar score, umbilical cord blood pH and clinical features of hypoxicischemic encephalopathy (HIE) can predict it. Aim: To study the correlation between nucleated red blood cell count (NRBC), fetal acidosis and clinical markers of asphyxia. Materials and methods: 52 pregnant women with fetal distress as a study group and 51 pregnant women without distress as a control the ed group were selected and their cord blood was analyzed for pH and nucleated RBCs. The results were analyzed. Result: Higher NRBC count was detected in the study group with signs of asphyxia (Thick MSAF, Non-Reassuring FHR Pattern, Low APGAR score). Conclusion: NRBC count is a simple bedside test to diagnose fetal asphyxia. Since it is cost-effective and does not require any special expertise or any high-tech facilities, it may be a useful, reliable, inexpensive and easily available markan er to evaluate perinatal asphyxia, especially in a resourcepoor country like ours, where blood gas analysis facilities are not available in the majority of place.

Comparative study of microflora between birth canal and new born oral cavity

Background: New-born acquires mother’s microbiome from the birth canal during the delivery process and these bacteria then colonize in the gut. Studying the oral microbiome of infants offer a good perspective for us to understand the gut microbiome disruption caused by C-section. A previous study of three-month-old infants reported a higher amount of bacterial taxa of the oral microbiota in vaginally delivered infants than the ones with another birth mode. Aim: Comparison of microflora between the birth canal and the oral cavity of a newborn in Caesarean delivery. Materials and methods: 30 pregnant women selected for the study. Parturient canal samples obtained prior to delivery and infant’s oral cavity oral samples obtained immediately after birth. Samples transported to the lab for microbiological assays and data tabulated and statistically analyzed using Chi-Square Test. Results: E.coli was observed in 21.1% (N=7) in the vaginal swab whereas its occurrence in buccal smear was 10.3% (N=3). The chi-square test of independence was statistically insignificant (p> 0.05). The staphylococcus was observed in 44.8 (N= 13) of vaginal swab and 37.9% (N=11) of buccal smear and again the difference was statistically insignificant. The presence of pus cells was 31% (N=9) in vaginal swab and 10.3% (N=3) in the buccal smear. Conclusion: A significant number of mother-child pairs showed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, and E.coli. However, Klebsiella and pus cells were occasionally found.