Association of BPD and IVH with early neutrophil and white counts in VLBW neonates with gestational age <32 weeks.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate associations between early low neutrophil count from routine blood samples, white blood count (WBC), pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes for very low birth weight infants (VLBW <or=1500 g) with gestational age <32 weeks.


METHODS
Information was abstracted on all infants admitted to level III neonatal intensive care units in Wisconsin 2003 to 2004. A total of 1002 VLBW neonates (78%) had differential and corrected total white counts within 2 (1/2) h of birth. Data analyses included frequency tables, binary logistic, ordinal logistic and ordinary regression.


RESULTS
Low neutrophil count (<1000 per microl) was strongly associated with low WBC, pregnancy complications and antenatal steroids. Low neutrophil count predicted bronchopulmonary dysplasia severity level (odds ratio, OR: 1.7, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.1 to 2.7) and intraventricular hemorrhage grade (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.3 to 3.8).


CONCLUSIONS
Early neutrophil counts may have multiple causes interfering with their routine use as an inflammatory marker. Nonetheless, low neutrophil count has consistent independent associations with outcomes.
Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726, USA. mpalta@wisc.edu
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Palta
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Sadek-Badawi
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Carlton
D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013256:Steroids / Q000009:adverse effects
D013256:Steroids