Total and differential leukocyte count percentiles in healthy singleton term women during the first stage of labor.

AIMS: To establish leukocyte count and differential percentiles in healthy singleton term laboring women during spontaneous normal vaginal labor following an uncomplicated pregnancy.

METHODS

An analysis of the records of all women (n = 762) who delivered at our delivery ward during a 2-month period was performed. After exclusion for cesarean delivery, induction of labor, pregnancy complications, preterm labor, multiple pregnancy, fever on admission, and lack of full blood count on admission, 365 parturient women during the 1st stage of labor were included in the final analysis. The total and differential leukocyte counts were determined by standard procedure by an automated cell counter.

RESULTS

The leukocyte count range on admission to the delivery ward during the 1st stage of labor in healthy parturient women was between 4.4 × and 21.7 × 10(3)/µl and the 99th percentile limit was 20.06 × 10(3)/µl. The total leukocyte count was not influenced by cervical dilatation, ruptured membranes, or the presence and regularity of uterine contractions.

CONCLUSION

An observed leukocyte count within the 99th percentile limit (20.06 × 10(3)/µl) in an otherwise normal parturient woman is reassuring in the absence of other clinical evidence.