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 hypoxic-ischemic 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 resource-poor country like ours, where blood gas analysis facilities are not available in the majority of place.