Platelet counts, MPV and PDW in culture proven and probable neonatal sepsis and association of platelet counts with mortality rate.
OBJECTIVE
To determine frequency of thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis, the MPV (mean platelet volume) and PDW (platelet distribution width) in patients with probable and culture proven neonatal sepsis and determine any association between platelet counts and mortality rate.


METHODS
Descriptive analytical study.


METHODS
NICU, Fazle Omar Hospital, from January 2011 to December 2012.


METHODS
Cases of culture proven and probable neonatal sepsis, admitted in Fazle Omar Hospital, Rabwah, were included in the study. Platelet counts, MPV and PDW of the cases were recorded. Mortality was documented. Frequencies of thrombocytopenia (< 150000/mm3) and thrombocytosis (> 450000/mm3) were ascertained. Mortality rates in different groups according to platelet counts were calculated and compared by chi-square test to check association.


RESULTS
Four hundred and sixty nine patients were included; 68 (14.5%) of them died. One hundred and thirty six (29%) had culture proven sepsis, and 333 (71%) were categorized as probable sepsis. Thrombocytopenia was present in 116 (24.7%), and thrombocytosis was present in 36 (7.7%) cases. Median platelet count was 213.0/mm3. Twenty eight (27.7%) patients with thrombocytopenia, and 40 (12.1%) cases with normal or raised platelet counts died (p < 0.001). Median MPV was 9.30, and median PDW was 12.30. MPV and PDW of the patients who died and who were discharged were not significantly different from each other.


CONCLUSIONS
Thrombocytopenia is a common complication of neonatal sepsis. Those with thrombocytopenia have higher mortality rate. No significant difference was present between PDW and MPV of the cases who survived and died.
Department of Paediatrics, NICU, Fazle Omar Hospital, Rabwah.
Mirza Sultan
MS
Ahmad
Department of Paediatrics, NICU, Fazle Omar Hospital, Rabwah.
Abdul
A
Waheed
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010976:Platelet Count; D015995:Prevalence; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013922:Thrombocytosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology