title: Prognostic significance of early platelet count decline in preterm newborns.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Decline of platelets with or without thrombocytopenia is observed in critically ill preterm newborns. Prognostic significance of platelets count in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit focused on outcome after thrombocytopenia. We aimed to estimate the changes in platelets count within the first 7 days of life in preterm newborns and its relation to final outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospectively, the platelets count during the first 7 days of life, and its association with mortality, length of stay among survivors (LOS), and later severe morbidities were determined. Appropriate regression analyses were used to examine possible relations between studied variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Platelets drop that did not reach thrombocytopenia level in the first 7 days of life happened in 61.7%. Platelets count drop in the first 7 days of life was a predictor of mortality, LOS, and major morbidities such as intraventricular hemorrhage and necrotizing enterocolitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Platelets count drop within the first 7 days of life independent of thrombocytopenia can be used to predict increased mortality, LOS, and the development of later severe morbidities in critically ill preterm neonates.
authors: Department of Pediatric, Taibah University, Almadinah Almounourah, Saudi Arabia ; Department of Pediatric, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt.
authors: Abeer Abd
authors: AA
authors: Elmoneim
authors: Department of Pediatric, Taibah University, Almadinah Almounourah, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Mohammed
authors: M
authors: Zolaly
authors: Department of Pediatric, Taibah University, Almadinah Almounourah, Saudi Arabia ; Department of Pediatric, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt.
authors: Ehab Abd
authors: EA
authors: El-Moneim
authors: Department of Pediatric, Neonatal Unit, Ohoud Hospital, Almadinah Almounourah, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Eisa
authors: E
authors: Sultan
keywords: Intraventricular hemorrhage; length of stay; neonatal infections; neonatal outcome; platelets; preterm; thrombocytopenia