Phenotype and function of lymphocytes from the neonatal umbilical cord compared to paired maternal peripheral blood cells isolated during delivery.

In the present study, we analyzed the immunological characteristics of mononuclear cells (MNC) isolated from both neonatal umbilical cord blood (UCB) and maternal peripheral blood (MPB) during the delivery. The in vitro proliferative response of UCB T lymphocytes was significantly reduced compared to the maternal response to phytohemagglutinin A, pokeweed mitogen, and alloantigen stimulation, in correlation with the lower percentage of UCB than MPB lymphocytes, but not with that of B cells. The mean cytotoxic activity level of interleukin-2 (IL-2)-activated natural killer (NK) was higher in UCB than in MBP, whereas the percentage of CD56(+) NK cell count was similar.

Umbilical cord blood acid-base values in uncomplicated term vaginal breech deliveries.

Background: This prospective study was conducted to compare the umbilical cord blood acid-base values of uncomplicated, assisted, vaginal-breech-delivery term neonates with those of uncomplicated, cephalic-vaginal delivery term neonates and to determine whether a different metabolic status should be expected in neonates born by way of uncomplicated vaginal breech delivery.

Methods: Umbilical cord artery and vein blood samples were obtained from 30 term neonates with frank or complete breech presentations who were born by uncomplicated assisted vaginal breech delivery. All these neonates had an Apgar score of >7 at 5 min and an uneventful neonatal course (study group).