To study the relation of anthropometric factors with total and differential leucocyte count in healthy newborns

Introduction: The normal blood picture in newborn infant has been the subject of several studies since the beginning of this century. Several studies were conducted to evaluate relation of hematological parameters of neonate with a perinatal events, maternal and neonatal factors. But only few studies were conducted to compare hematological values of neonate with anthropometric parameters. Objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of neonatal anthropometric factors i.e. weight, including head circumference and length on total and differential leucocyte count in cord blood of healthy newborns. Material & Methods: The study was conducted on 200 healthy newborns admitted in neonatology section of Department of Paediatrics, Govt. Medical College/ Rajindra Hospital, Patiala. Cord blood sample (2ml) was taken at birth by milking the cord into an EDTA containing vial then used for calculating total leucocyte count and differential leucocyte count. TLC was done by manual method (haemocytometer method) using improved Neubauer Chamber. Results & conclusion: it can be inferred that Total leucocyte count increases with increasing weight and length of the newborn. Similarly, neutrophils and lymphocytes increases with increasing weight whereas only lymphocytes increases with increasing length of the newborn. However, head circumference has no effect on Total and differential leucocyte count in healthy newborns.