Background: The number of nucleated cells (NCs) infused into the recipient is highly correlated with the probability and speed of cord blood (CB) HPC trans-plantation, therefore it is necessary to obtain CB units with sufficient NCs.
Study design and methods: 190 CB units were collected from normal vaginal and caesarian deliveries with placenta in uterus and immediately processed and assessed for volume and NC count. These variables were correlated with maternal and neonatal characteristics such as mother's age, weight, parity, type of delivery, gestational age, baby's birth weight, height, and sex.
Result: In univariate analysis, total nucleated cell (TNC) count was significantly increased in vaginal deliveries (VDs) (p = 0.001), women older than 25 years (p = 0.02), women with one or two parities (p = 0.03), and babies heavier than 3100 g (p = 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, significant increase was observed only in VDs and heavier babies (p = 0.03, r(2)= 0.07).
Conclusion: Our data indicates that VD and heavier babies showed significant increase in TNC by multiple regression analysis. However, r(2)= 0.07 and even when all factors were considered, r(2)= 0.16, which is a percentage too insignificant to be applied for ideal CB screening.