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OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to investigate any possible relationship between the duration of labor, the mode of delivery and the duration of rupture of membranes and hematological parameters in cord blood. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 298 pregnant women who delivered term normal infants. The patients were divided into three groups according to the route of delivery: vaginal (n = 165), cesarean section after labor (n = 27) and elective cesarean section (n = 106). Immediately after delivery, umbilical cord blood samples were collected. RESULTS: The mode of delivery influenced white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell distribution, platelets count and nucleated red blood cells. There was no correlation between the cord blood hematological values and the duration of labor, as well as the duration of rupture of membranes before delivery. CONCLUSION: The influence of mode of delivery, duration of labor and duration of ruptured membranes on hematological parameters in umbilical cord blood is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]