Early Predictions of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy by Umbilical Cord Nucleated Red Blood Cells and Lactate

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) remains a serious condition that causes significant mortality and long-term morbidity.This study established a simple and quick method that could be used to predict the occurrence of HIE as early as possible by investigating the variations of nucleated red blood cells (RBCs) per 100 white blood cell (NRBC/100 WBC) counts and lactate levels in cord blood of the newborn.The study included 30 full term babies diagnosed as having HIE who fulfilled AAP citeria, compared with 30 age-matched apparently healthy term neonates as a control group with no obstetrical problems, delivered either vaginally or by cesarean section.Nucleated RBCs were able to predict hypoxia and to assess the grade of hypoxia, while lactate had better ability to predict hypoxia but could not assess the grade of hypoxia. Nucleated RBCs and lactate were able to predict HIE early in labor as they had better sensitivity and specificity than other alone.