Comparing Nucleated Red Blood Cells in Neonates with and without Retinopathy

Abstract

Introduction: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the reasons of blindness in children. Numerous predisposing factors have been reported, including prematurity and oxygen therapy. We assessed the number of nucleated red blood cells in neonates with ROP and compared it with the patients that didn t suffer from the situation. Methodology: This case-control study was performed on 151 neonates with birth weight<1500 gr and/or gestational age< 32 weeks that were born in Ghaem Hospital of Mashhad from 2017 to 2020. A Cell Blood Count (CBC) sample and peripheral blood smear was taken. The Number of nucleated red blood cells or NRBC per 100 white blood cells was reported. Complete characteristics of neonates (birth weight, sex, gestational age, Apgar Score), mother's history (age, pregnancy and labor problems, kind of delivery, and pariety), and lab results were collected and recorded in the checklist. The assessment of the patients were continued until they were discharged and then they got visited by an ophthalmologist at the age of 32 weeks or four weeks after birth in terms of ROP and followed up. Control group included premature neonates without ROP. Results: Among of 151 neonates studied, 47 cases (24.9%) were normal and 104 ones (75.1%) had retinopathy of prematurity. Differences of measured factors in two groups of neonates with and without ROP were as followed: NRBC/100 (P = 0.009), absolute NRBC (P = 0.465), Apgar score of first (P = 0.131) and fifth (P = 0.002) minutes. Conclusion: Increasing umbilical cord NRBC/100 of neonates along with other available methods can be useful as a predictor factor of ROP and it can also predict the ROP intensity.

Diagnostic Value and Prognostic Significance of Nucleated Red Blood Cells (NRBCs) in Selected Medical Conditions

“…Numerous studies have revealed that NRBCs can be used as an important indicator of the presence and duration of intrauterine hypoxia or the assessment of the severity and early outcome of perinatal asphyxia [16,17]. NRBCs are also a sensitive indicator of mortality among preterm infants and the prognosis of conditions such as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, or sickle cell disease [4,[18][19][20][21].…”

Comparison of Vitamin D Levels in Premature Infants with and without Retinopathy of Prematurity

“…Other possible important factors include: apnea, mechanical ventilation, anemia and need for blood transfusion, vitamin deficiencies, intraventricular hemorrhage, sepsis, acidosis, hypotension, pneumothorax, chronic lung diseases, high levels of arterial carbon dioxide, seizure, and bradycardia. 5,6 Effective early identification of high risk infants and examination of their retina has been proven to reduce the complications of RoP. 7,8 Maintaining normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus is the main biological function of vitamin D. Vitamin D promotes an overall boost in the immune system.…”