Effect of Early Onset Bacterial Sepsis or Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) on Neonatal White Blood Cell and Platelet Counts in Infants Less Than 1,200 Grams

Abstract

Effects of early onset bacterial sepsis (EOBS) and pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) on the first white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts done within the first 8 hours of life in infants less than 1,200 g and 32 weeks of gestation (n = 121) were analyzed. PIH (n = 24) but not EOBS (n = 19) was associated with leukopenia while both PIH and EOBS were accompanied by absolute neutropenia. PIH and EOBS influenced immature to total neutrophil ratios. However, immature to total neutrophil ratio was not a good predictor of EOBS in these very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. PIH but not EOBS was associated with thrombocytopenia. We conclude that the first WBC and platelet counts are not very useful in predicting EOBS in VLBW infants, and that the factor(s) causing abnormal neonatal WBC and platelet counts in PIH pregnancies are operational much earlier in pregnancy than previously recognized.