NRBC concentrations over time in neonates with moderate to severe neonatal encephalopathy with and without sentinel events

To study the serum concentrations of nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) over time in neonates with moderate to severe neonatal encephalopathy (NE).

A retrospective cohort study with subjects subdivided into three groups: definite sentinel events (n = 52), probable sentinel events (n = 20) and no history of sentinel events (n = 63). Peak absolute NRBC and NRBC/100 WBC were compared between groups and with MRI Injury score, cord and admission pH/base deficit.

Absolute NRBC peaked at 24.05 h after birth (CI: 15.30-32.79), 17.56 h after birth (CI: 7.35-27.77), and 39.81 h after birth (CI: 28.73-50.89) in each respective group. The peak in absolute NRBC correlated with the severity of injury in the grey matter in group 2 and white matter in groups 1 and 2. Higher peak absolute NRBC value correlated to a lower admission ABG pH.

NRBC peak at 24 h after birth in neonates with sentinel events.