Leukemoid Reaction and Preterm Birth: A Case Report of FIRS (Fetal Inflammatory Response Syndrome)

This article describes a case of severe hyperleukocytosis in a preterm infant with fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) associated with funisitis of umbilical cord and intrauterine inflammation. FIRS is a cause of leukocytosis in newborn, as well as leukemoid reaction in 21 trisomy, congenital leukemia, sepsis, and steroid prophylaxis. Inflammatory response syndrome is associated with high mortality, developmental impairment and complications of prematurity like intraventricular hemorrhage, chronic lung disease, periventricular leukomalacia, and sepsis.