title: Clinical features and haematological indices of bacterial infections in young infants.
abstract: The clinical features and haematologic indices of 100 young infants aged 3 months and below, admitted with suspected bacterial infections, were analysed. Fever, lethargy, hepatomegaly, poor feeding and irritability were the commonest features for suspecting a bacterial infection in these infants. However, the features significantly associated with bacterial infections were respiratory distress and cyanosis. Of the haematologic indices commonly associated with bacterial infections, only C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly predictive compared to leukocyte counts, absolute neutrophil counts and nitro-blue tetrazolium tests. When used in combination, a raised C-reactive protein with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate with abnormal leukocyte counts and a raised C-reactive protein with abnormal leukocyte counts were significantly associated with bacterial infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Hiew
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein