CORRELATION OF NEONATAL NUCLEATED RED-BLOOD-CELL COUNTS IN PRETERM INFANTS WITH HISTOLOGIC CHORIOAMNIONITIS

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the neonatal nucleated red blood cell counts in preterm infants in the presence and absence of clinical and histologic chorioamnionitis while controlling for gest ational age and birth weight percentile. STUDY DESIGN: Nucleated red b lood cell counts were obtained from preterm infants delivered after pr eterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membranes. Patients were d ivided on the basis of clinical and histologic chorioamnionitis. Nucle ated red blood cell counts between groups were compared, and regressio n analysis controlling for gestational age and birth weight percentile was performed. RESULTS: Of 359 patients, both measures of infection s tatus were significantly associated with increased nucleated red blood cell counts. In the regression analysis histologic chorioamnionitis r etained significance, whereas clinical chorioamnionitis did not. CONCL USIONS: Histologic chorioamnionitis produces an erythropoietic respons e in the fetus. Whether fetal erythropoiesis is a direct response to m ediators of inflammation or whether it is the result of a rise in eryt hropoietin is unknown.