LEUKOCYTE BLOOD PICTURE IN EARLY NEONATAL-PERIOD IN ANTALYA REGION OFTURKEY

In two hundred neonates, white cell counts and peripheral blood smears were evaluated at birth, and after the 24th, 48th and 72nd hours of d elivery to compare the differential counts of leukocytes with the valu es of other investigators. Parity between neutrophils and lymphocytes was observed on the third day, which was earlier than the time reporte d previously by other investigators. The total white cell counts were similar to those generally observed, but absolute total neutrophil cou nts, absolute total immature neutrophil counts and immature-to-total n eutrophil ratio were found to be higher than those values previously r eported in the literature. Environmental factors during delivery and i n early postnatal life may play a role in the dynamics of leukocytes. These differentials should be taken into account when the diagnosis of early neonatal infections is considered.