Comparative Study of Neutrophil Activities in Adults and Full-Term Neonates in Relation to the Method of Delivery

Szymańska-Toczek, Zofia; Dąbek, J.; Hrycek, A.; Osuch-Jaczewska, R.; Baumert, M.

doi:10.14712/fb2001047020071

Fol. Biol. 2001, 47, 71-74

https://doi.org/10.14712/fb2001047020071

Comparative Study of Neutrophil Activities in Adults and Full-Term Neonates in Relation to the Method of Delivery

Zofia Szymańska-Toczek¹, J. Dąbek², A. Hrycek², R. Osuch-Jaczewska¹, M. Baumert¹

¹Department of Neonatology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
²Department of Internal Diseases, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

Received June 2000
Accepted October 2000

The aim of this study was to compare the markers of neutrophil activity in healthy adults with those in healthy neonates in relation to the method of delivery. The following parameters were studied: absolute neutrophil count, neutrophil adherence to nylon fiber, NBT reduction, and neutrophil phagocytosis of latex particles. The study has shown that the method of delivery significantly affects the markers of neutrophil activity measured in umbilical cord blood. The levels of these markers were higher in neonates born by elective cesarean section than in adults, neonates born vaginally or those born by emergency cesarean section. This comparative study of defensive functions of neutrophils from adults and neonates indicates that the conflicting results of other studies may be caused not only by differences in investigative methodology but also by the fact that the eligibility criteria used in these studies did not include the method of delivery, which can affect the markers of neutrophil activity via triggering a stress response.