Haematological status of fullterm healthy infants in the first week of life
Tan, K.L.; Yip, Y.Y.; Low, S.H.
Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore 14(4): 572-575
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0304-4602 PMID: 4083790 Document Number: 253085
The haematological status of 105 healthy fullterm neonates was studied daily during the first week of life. Hb, MCV, RBC, PCV and WBC were determined with a Coulter 5 Counter, white cell differential reticulocyte and platelet counts manually, and ESR by a micromethod on free flowing capillary blood from heel stabs. A decline in Hb, PCV, MCV, RBC values and reticulocyte count was observed over the 7 days. The platelet count however rose slightly. The white cell count initially declined. The polymorphs initially predominant declined as the lymphocytes increased; by 7 days, both were about equal in proportions and together accounted for about 85% of the white cell population. The micro-ESR was very low, rising only slightly over the week.