Effect of Labor and Delivery on Neonatal Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Number and Function

Victor C. Herson; Charlotte Block; Leonard I. Eisenfeld; Eufronio Maderazo; Peter J. Krause

doi:10.1055/s-2007-994791

American Journal of Perinatology, Table of Contents

Am J Perinatol 1992; 9(4): 285-288
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-994791

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Effect of Labor and Delivery on Neonatal Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Number and Function

Victor C. Herson, Charlotte Block, Leonard I. Eisenfeld, Eufronio Maderazo, Peter J. Krause

Divisions of Neonatology and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and the Medical Research Laboratory, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, and The University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The ability of the neonate to mount an adequate polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) response, either quantitatively or functionally, is impaired. To assess whether neonatal PMN number and function are altered by labor and delivery, three groups of infants were studied: cesarean section without labor (10), cesarean section after labor (10), and vaginal delivery (11). PMN counts were higher in the groups undergoing labor (p <0.01) compared with the cesarean section without labor group. Similarly, the labor groups had evidence of complement activation (increased C3a desarg) compared with the cesarean section without labor group. No differences were noted between the groups in measures of PMN motility (chemokinesis or chemotaxis) or PMN degranulation (plasma lysozyme), suggesting that normal labor and delivery does not contribute to the general PMN dysfunction of the neonate.

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