Comparison of selected elements of neonate immunological system with relation to indications for cesarean section and time of delivery

Abstract

Abstract Aim of study: To define to what degree time and the way of delivery cause changes in CD3+ lymphocytes and their subpopulations CD4+, CD8+, CD25+ and CD19+ lymphocytes and their subpopulations CD5+, CD23+. Material and methods: 49 healthy neonates born in the years 1998-2003 in the Clinical Ward of Perinatology and Gynecology of Silesian Medical University in Zabrze were examined. Taking into account the time of pregnancy and the way of delivery, the children were divided into the following groups: Group Ib - 23 full-term neonates born by Cesarean section, including 15 neonates with elective indications (Ibe), 8 with emergency indications (Ibn). Group IIb – 26 pre-term neonates born by Cesarean section, including 18 with elective indications (IIbe) and 8 with emergency indications (IIbn). Our study applied a method of umbilical blood sampling with the following red blood cells lysis. Results: Statistically significant lower mean number of B CD5+ lymphocytes was found in full-term neonates born by Cesarean section in comparison to pre-term neonates born by the same method. Similar differences concern full-term and pre-term neonates born by elective Cesarean section. Statistically significant lower mean number of CD3+, CD4+ and CD25+ lymphocytes was found in pre-term neonates born by elective Cesarean section in comparison to pre-term neonates by emergency Cesarean section. Conclusions: Time of pregnancy termination in a mother by Cesarean section can be related to the occurrence of statistically significant changes in B CD5+ lymphocytes quantities in her neonate. Emergency Cesarean section in a mother can be related to the increased quantity of T lymphocytes, helper T lymphocytes , activated T lymphocytes in her pre-term born neonate. No statistically significant differences were found in mean values of other immunological parameters among study groups.