Evaluation of hematological indexes in newborn babies according to pregnancy weeks

Erythrocyte and leukocyte indices vary according to age and gender. To diagnose anemia in children, it is necessary to know the lower limit of normal values by age. Therefore, it was aimed to reveal the normal values of neonatal hematological indices of different gestational age and birth weight for our own population. Medical records of babies born in our hospital between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. The cases were divided into different groups according to their gestational age and birth weight. Correlation and distribution of hematological parameters according to gestational age and birth weight were examined. The mean birth weight of 340 newborn babies included in the study was 1821,68±923,97 g (400-4230 g) and the mean gestational age was 32,0±4,9 weeks (24-40 weeks). Except that red cell distribution width (RDW) value was higher in girls than boys, there was no difference between the two genders in terms of hematological indices. A weak and positive correlation was found between gestational age and red blood cell (RBC) count (rs=0,310 and p<0,05). There was a moderate and negative correlation between gestational age, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (rs=-0,611 and p<0,05; rs= -0,564 and p<0,05, respectively). In addition, a weak and positive correlation was found between the gestational age, and white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (PLT) counts (rs=0,245 and p<0,05; rs=0,347 and p<0,05, respectively). When hematological indices were compared by gestational age group, RBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV and MCH values, and WBC and PLT counts differed (p<0,05). When the hematological parameters were evaluated by birth weight, they gave similar results to those according to gestational age. The hematological parameters of the newborn differ according to the gestational age and birth weight. To distinguish abnormal conditions, normal reference values of each population should be determined.