Factors predicting the hematopoietic stem cells content of the umbilical cord blood

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been demonstrated to be alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Unfortunately, the wide use of UCB Transplantation is limited due to the low number of HSCs. The aim of this study was to determine factors that affect the number of HSCs collected from UCB. 200 eligible donors were included for HSCs testing, including total nucleated cells (TNCs) and CD34+ cell number, by using univariate and multivariate analysis. In univariate analysis, factors positively associated with higher number of TNCs were maternal weight (P = 0.002), preeclampsia (P = 0.03), neonatal weight (P < 0.001), neonatal platelet count (P = 0.02), neonatal Rh (P = 0.03), gestational age (P = 0.04) and delivery type (P < 0.001). Factors positively associated with higher number of CD34+ cells were maternal weight (P < 0.007), preeclampsia (P = 0.02), maternal hypertension (P = 0.02) neonatal weight (P < 0.001), neonatal Rh type (P = 0.02) and delivery type (P = 0.04). In multivariate analysis, factors significantly influence TNCs were neonatal weight (P < 0.001), preeclampsia (P = 0.008), neonatal Rh type (P = 0.02) and delivery type (P < 0.001). While factors significantly influence number of CD34+ cells were maternal weight (P = 0.025), neonatal weight (P = 0.005), neonatal Rh (P = 0.006), nuchal cord (P = 0.026) and delivery type (P = 0.009). Conclusions factors significantly influence TNCs content of UCB were neonatal weight, preeclampsia, neonatal Rh and delivery type. While factors significantly influence number of CD34+ cells were maternal weight, neonatal weight, neonatal Rh, nuchal cord and delivery type.