Objective:

To relate umbilical nucleated red blood cells count and metabolic status in newborns with intrapartum non-reassuring fetal state.

Materials and method:

All low-risk pregnant women with a normal fetal heart rate at admission to labor and delivery were eligible for participation. Nucleated red blood cells, pH, and base deficit of umbilical artery and vein newborn with (group A) or without diagnosis (Group B) of non-reassuring fetal state by cardiotocography.

Results:

Of 200 samples selected, 19 (9.5 %) were from newborns with a diagnosis of non-reactive fetal status due to changes in cardiotocography (group A). Mean values of pH and umbilical arterial and venous base deficit were significantly higher in group A than in group B (p < 0.05). Nucleated red blood cells count was 11.47 +/- 4.93 x 100 white cells in group A and 5.71 +/- 1.21 x 100 white cells in group B (p < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between nucleated red blood cells count and pH and umbilical arterial and venous base deficit values in the groups of newborns with and without intrapartum fetal distress (p = ns).

Conclusion:

Newborns with non-reassuring fetal state have nucleated red blood cells count was higher than in newborns without alterations.

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