A cross-sectional study of reticulocyte count and hemoglobin content of umbilical cord blood with relation to maternal factors in newborns of Sikkim

ABSTRACT

Background: The hematological values of the new born is amenable to certain changes under the influence of fetal, maternal, and environmental factors. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study was to study the effect of maternal factors on hemoglobin content and reticulocyte count in umbilical cord blood of newborns of Sikkim. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 cord blood samples from newborns delivered at CRH Hospital and STNM Govt. Hospital, Gangtok, Sikkim were analyzed. Two ml of cord blood was taken in an ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid tube under aseptic condition and within 6 h Hemoglobin estimation and Reticulocyte count was done. Results: The mean reticulocyte count was 2.48 ± 0.87% in normal vaginal delivery (NVD) and in C/S was 3.06 ± 0.97%. The mean hemoglobin content was 13.9 ± 2.6 g/dL in NVD and in C/S was 16.1 ± 3.4 g/dL. P < 0.05 for cord hemoglobin and reticulocytes in relation to mode of delivery was found to be highly significant. The mean reticulocyte count was 2.85 ± 1.0% in normal pregnancy and in complication of pregnancy was 2.9 ± 0.70%. The mean hemoglobin content was 15.36 ± 3.31 g/dL in normal pregnancy and in complication of pregnancy was 16.1 ± 3.4 g/dL. The reticulocyte count was found to be statistically significant in relation to complication of pregnancy. The mean mother’s hemoglobin was 11.16 ± 1.27 when cord hemoglobin content was <14 g/dL and was 11.88 ± 1.24 g/dL when cord hemoglobin content was >14 g/dL. There was statistical significance between the cord hemoglobin content and the hemoglobin content of the mother. Conclusion: Maternal anemia leads to lower circulating hemoglobin in new born. Cord blood screening is a useful means for identification of anemia in neonatal period. High reticulocyte count in neonates denotes active erythropoiesis which might help to defer transfusion unless there were other special reasons for proceeding.