Soonchunhyang Med Sci.  2013 Dec;19(2):61-64.

Low Basophil Count and Red Cell Distribution Width at Birth May Predict the Development of Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Matched Control Study

• Kim DH
• Bae SP
• Hahn WH
• Song JH
• Oh MH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The pathophysiology of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is incompletely understood. There were some reports that the pathogenesis of NEC involves intrauterine process and infants with fulminant NEC had low lymphocyte count. Thus, we investigated complete blood count (CBC) parameters of infants at birth and their mothers near delivery.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of NEC patients and controls. The CBC parameters were compared between infants with NEC (modified Bell's criteria stage > or =Ia, n=82) and controls matched for gestational age, birth weight, gender, and race (n=169). The blood test findings were obtained from infants within the first 2 hours of life and from mothers as the latest one before delivery.
RESULTS
Statistically different findings at birth were found in NEC infants; red cell distribution width (RDW) and basophil count. In the multiple logistic regression analysis after adjustment for gestational age, birth weight, and gender, several infantile independent risk factors were identified; basophil count <40/microL (odds ratio [OR], 4.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.18 to 9.73; P<0.001) and low RDW (OR, 7.15; 95% CI, 2.93 to 17.41; P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
We found that NEC was associated with low infantile RDW and basophil count at birth. These findings might support roles of red blood cell and basophil in the pathogenesis of NEC, which might predict development of NEC with neonatal findings at birth.

Keyword

Basophils; Necrotizing enterocolitis; Erythrocyte indices

MeSH Terms

Basophils*
Birth Weight
Blood Cell Count
Continental Population Groups
Enterocolitis, Necrotizing*
Erythrocyte Indices*
Erythrocytes
Gestational Age
Hematologic Tests
Humans
Infant
Logistic Models
Lymphocyte Count
Medical Records
Mothers
Parturition*
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors