EFFECT OF GRANULOCYTE-COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR ON PREECLAMPSIA-ASSOCIATED NEONATAL NEUTROPENIA

Absolute neutropenia lasting longer than 72 hours after birth occurred in four very low birth weight neonates with a maternal history of sev ere pregnancy-induced hypertension, and was treated with recombinant g ranulocyte colony-stimulating factor for 3 days, Absolute neutrophil c ounts increased nearly fourfold within 48 hours; maximal values were r ecorded on the ninth day after the infusion was started, Total leukocy te counts subsequently decreased but remained in the normal range, It appears that recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor p romotes a rapid increase in circulating neutrophils in these patients despite the possible presence of a circulating preeclampsia-associated inhibitor of neutrophil production.