The entry of fetal RBCs into the maternal blood occurs so commonly during pregnancy which is clinically insignificant with volume <0.5 mL [1] . Maternal and fetal RBCs differ in their hemoglobin F content, while fetal RBCs mainly contain hemoglobin F, and the maternal RBCs contain a small percent of hemoglobin F 2% in the background of adult hemoglobin [2] . It has been suggested that volume of fetal RBCs in maternal blood increases as pregnancy progresses, particularly in the third trimester. Different fetal cell types can be detected in the maternal circulation, such as fetal RBCs, fetal leukocytes, stem cells of fetal origin and free fetal DNA [3] [4] . The most adverse effect of FMH is maternal isoimmunization, which occurred as a result of 0.5 ml of fetal blood introduced into maternal circulation [5] . FMH may also trigger platelet isoimmunization, which can potentiate other autoimmune diseases and also lead to preeclampsia [6] .

FCM is a new and precise method to quantify fetal red cells in the maternal blood [2] . The first FCM methods for detection of FMH were based on anti-D antibodies [7] [8] . The methods that used monoclonal antibodies to (Hb F) were developed later [9] , in which the percent of RBCs containing Hb F in the maternal blood was used to calculate the volume of Rh positive cells [10] . One of the unique features of FCM is that it can measure fluorescence per one cell [11] [12] . Other method for FMH detection is the Kleihauer-Betke (K-B) acid-elution, which has been considered the cornerstone for detection of FMH for many years ago. The clinical usefulness of the K-B assay is out of discussion, but it was subjected to high interlaboratory difference and individual variations, because it depends on observer discrimination between fetal and adult RBCs [13] [14] [15] . Therefore, Hb F based FCM methods decrease false positive results in patients with increased F-cells due to other hematologic diseases [16] [17] .

The World Health Organization states the optimum time for cord clamping occurring when the circulation in the cord has been ceased, and the cord is flat and pulseless [18] [19] . In cord clamping time protocols, DCC is defined as the cord which has been clamped after the onset of respiration, one minute by vaginal delivery and 40 seconds by caesarian section so the vascular bed expansion may facilitate placental transfusion to the baby and decrease the FMH [20] . But ECC is defined as the umbilical cord which is usually clamped shortly in the first 20 seconds after birth [21] . So ECC time protocol disrupts physiology of birth, as it prevents baby from still-functioning placenta, so most of blood returns back to the maternal circulation, ignoring benefits of extra blood volume to the baby [22] [23] . The benefit of DCC time protocol is that it allows enough time for fetal blood in the placenta drawn to the infant at birth, so placental transfusion provides the infant with additional 30% more blood volume [24] .

The study was conducted in Clinical Pathology Department and Emergency Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Sohag University Hospital from February 2014 to January 2015.

Demographic data, primary and secondary outcomes of the main two groups were compared using the t-test, Mann-Whitney’s U-test (for non-parametric variables), Chi-squared and Fischer’s Exact tests (for categorical measures), and SPSS® for windows® version 15.0 were used.

One hundred women at delivery were assessed for eligibility, 20 non pregnant negative control, 20 pregnant females in third trimester as pregnancy base line value of Hb F control and 20 neonates as positive control. We therefore had 50 women who underwent ECC time protocol and 50 women who underwent DCC time protocol for the final analysis. In each group, 25 women were delivered vaginally and 25 women were delivered by caesarian section.

Table 1 represents the demographic data of the studied females, there is insignificant difference in the mean age, parity and gestational age in ECC time protocol group compared to DCC time protocol group (28.14 ± 6.40 and 29.98 ± 6.56, respectively; p > 0.16).

ECC (Early Cord Clamping group), DCC (Delayed Cord Clamping group), A (ECC caesarian section subgroup), B (ECC vaginal delivery subgroup), DCC (Caesarian section subgroup), D (DCC vaginaldelivery subgroup), E (Late pregnancy control subgroup), F (Non-pregnant control subgroup), G (Neonates control subgroup), FCM (Flow cytometer), FMH (Fetomaternal hemorrhage), No. (number), *Significant, **Highly Significant, NS Non-significant.

The difference in the FMH volume according to the cord clamping time protocol, demonstrated statistically significant increase in the ECC time group of females when compared to the DCC time one (11.86 ± 2.09 and 3.97 ± 2.82, respectively; p < 0.0001).

Within the DCC time protocol, as regard the effect of delivery route on FMH volume, a statistically significant increase in FMH volume was found in the women group who had been perform vaginal delivery when compared to those women with caesarian section (p < 0.01). On other hand, the caesarian section protocol of delivery showed statistically increase in the FMH volume in the women subjected to ECC time protocol in comparing to those with DCC protocol (B vs. D (9.56 ± 5.69); (2.64 ±1.28) respectively, p < 0.05).

Also we noticed that within the vaginal delivery route, a significant increase in the FMH volume was found in the women group who were proceeded with ECC time protocol comparing to those with DCC (A vs. C (14.15 ± 5.97); (5.30 ± 3.29), respectively; p < 0.02). There was a statistically significantly difference in the mean volume of FMH between the four mentioned subgroups A, B, C, D (14.15 ± 5.97, 9.56 ± 5.69, 5.30 ± 3.29 and 2.64 ± 1.28, respectively; p < 0.0001). Most cases there were small FMH, while large incidence is about 3 in 100 cases.

Figures 1-4 showed the FCM analysis of fetal RBCs by FTIC in all the studied populations. Figure 1: non-pregnant female from total 20 women to know the normal percent of fetal RBCs in non-pregnant woman (No. of events 34% of gated RBCs 1.11), this is negative control for the studied populations. Figure 2 showed pregnant females in the 3^rd trimester from total 20 women as base line value for FMH that happen physiologically during pregnancy (No. of events 89% of gated RBCs 2.92). Figure 3 one neonates from 20 neonates as positive auto-control for fetal RBCs (No. of events 1041% of gated RBCs 34.11). Both positive and negative controls serve to adjust the set of work. The pregnant women

auto-control for FMH volume that is occurred normally regardless the type of delivery and time of cord clamping. Figure 4 showed one case with caesarian section from the delivered 100 women (No. of events 261% of gated RBCs 8.55).

An accurate and reliable estimation of FMH is necessary, especially after certain conditions constitute inevitable risk of isoimmunization, such as abdominal trauma, invasive techniques like chorionic villous biopsy, amniocentesis [26] . In

our study we use FCM method to determine FMH volume that occurred during labor and prefer it than other techniques as it has better precision, can prevent false-positive results in patients with increased F-cell counts due to other conditions [9] [10] [11] . Because maternal F cells have been reported to increase during the second trimester of pregnancy and misidentification of these F cells as fetal RBCs may occur especially in pregnant women with hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, or a hematologic malignancy [27] [28] [29] . Formally (KBT) was based on the microscopic counting of fetal RBCs within the maternal blood on blood film, under acid conditions, it is inaccurate, leading to inappropriate dose of anti-Rh D immunoglobulin [13] - [30] . The value of FCM in detection of FMH is non-invasive technique used to adjust the dose of anti D, also can detect fetal genetic diseases as it detects fetal cells, so PCR and DNA studies can be done [31] . FCM at first used surface antigen to detect FMH, nowadays FCM approaches use intra-cytoplasmic Ag detection of Hb F [32] [33] [34] . Recently monoclonal anti-Hb F antibody allows discrimination of three different populations: fetal RBCs, F cells, and adult RBCs [11] - [34] . As the time proceed, comparison of different reagents on FCM was done by Fong et al., (2013), who had used 2 kits, Trillium FMH Quick Quant a new kit including anti-Hb F antibody and propidium iodide (PI) which is a specific marker for nucleated cells to discriminate fetal cells from fetal RBCs [35] . The guidelines were done to improve inter-laboratory variations with FMH techniques based on gating strategies, Wong et al., (2013) had studied the automated analysis of fetal RBCs, was found strongly correlates with expert traditional manual analysis [36] . Also Gielezynska (2014) found that an increase population of Hb F positive cells can be detect in a healthy women [37] . For this reason we used non-pregnant women as negative control for FMH whom contained normal percent of Hb F and women in the third trimester to determine reference ranges of fetal RBCs in maternal blood during the last trimester of an uncomplicated pregnancy as reported by de Wite et al., (2011) [26] . In this study we use both positive and negative control that serve to adjust the set of work. Women in late pregnancy are considered physiologic control for FMH volume that is occurred normally regardless the type of delivery and time of cord clamping so give idea about base line data of FMH.

Our results denote that the obstetric protocol of delivery affect much more FMH volume, so we find that DCC time protocol delivery decreases the volume of FMH, this effect can be strengthen by deciding caesarian section route of delivery. Our data is partially in accordance with Heike et al. (2012), who studied the effect of DCC time on FMH volume, who said that, cord clamping protocol was the only parameter can induce a significant difference in FMH [38] . These findings clearly agree with the results of Parul et al. (2015) and Faucher et al. (2016) [39] [40] . The result of this study also agree with the results of Colleen et al. (2016), who found that the incidence of FMH, was significantly lower in females who subjected to DCC protocol [41] . From other mentioned studies one can conclude that beneficial effects of DCC on maternal and neonatal outcomes, a significant increase in endogenous stem cells in umbilical cord samples following DCC, so more neonatal benefits can achieved [42] [43] . Finally we can advise the obstetricians to decide caesarian section delivery combined with DCC protocol especially in vulnerable females to develop isoimmunization like Rh negative or women who exposed to invasive procedures. It is important to perform FCM assay of fetal RBCs as a routine investigation in perinatal care program especially to the critical category of women to provide a decision for delivery route and how the postpartum period care achieved.

FCM is considered the best applicable, rapid and economic method for detection the degree of FMH severity and can be used as perinatal routine test providing suitable obstetric techniques to decrease the possibility of isoimmunization. DCC time and caesarian section protocols decrease much more FMH.

Late pregnancy and postpartum fetal RBCs estimation by FCM especially in Rh negative women and those exposed to trauma or invasive techniques should be done as a routine investigation to decrease FMH and minimize isoimmunization.

All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards, written informed consent was obtained from all women participate in the research, they informed that the blood samples for research purpose.

Abo-Elwafa, H.A., Ismail, S.A., Hassanin, I.M.A. and Ahmed, R.M. (2017) Fetal RBCs Potential in Obstetric Protocols to Minimize Fetomaternal Hemorrhage. Open Journal of Blood Diseases, 7, 51-63. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojbd.2017.71006