Impact of Preterm Birth on the Cellular Characteristics of Neonatal Buccal Cells

Abstract

Objective To demonstrate the impact of preterm birth on the cytological, cytomorphometrical, and nuclear parameters of neonatal buccal smears. Methods This study consisted of Early Preterm Neonates (EPN; <= 34th gestational week [gw]; n = 36), Late Preterm Neonates (LPN; 34th to <37th gw; n = 46), and Term Neonates (control; >= 37th gw; n = 56). Cytological evaluation and buccal cytome assay were performed using Papanicolaou and Feulgen methods, respectively. Results Cytological evaluation demonstrated that smear background was cleaner (P < .05) and there were less macrophages in the control group (P < .001). Cyto-morphometric analysis showed that the measurements of nuclear diameter, nuclear area, and nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio were higher in the preterm (EPN and LPN) versus the control groups (P = .016, P < .001, and P < .001, respectively). We also demonstrated that staining intensity of the nucleus and cytoplasm were less intense in the EPN and LPN groups (P < .001). There was no statistically significant difference between the EPN and LPN groups for any parameters (P > .05). Buccal cytome assay showed that nuclear buds were more prevalent in term newborns compared to preterm neonates (P < .001). Conclusions Morphological and cytological properties of neonatal buccal cells are influenced by preterm birth status, and buccal smears may be used as a tool to detect biological markers of neonatal health problems.