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.
Palta
M
M
Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726, USA. mpalta@wisc.edu
Sadek-Badawi
M
M
Carlton
D P
DP
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