Hematologic Profiles of Ethiopian Preterm Infants With Clinical Diagnoses of Early-Onset Sepsis, Perinatal Asphyxia, and Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Zemene Tigabu Kebede,Bogale Worku,Yohannes Hailu Matebe,Amha Mekasha,Elizabeth M Mcclure,Abayneh Girma Demisse,Asrat Demtse Gebremedhin,Robert L Goldenberg,Alemayehu Worku,Lulu M Muhe,Mulugeta Ayalew Yimer,Netsanet Workneh Gidi,Assaye K Nigussie,Gesit Metaferia

doi:10.1177/2333794x20960264

Abstract

Objective. To determine the hematologic profile of preterm infants with regard to different diseases. Methods. A prospective, cross-sectional, observational study, conducted in 5 hospitals in Ethiopia from July 2016 to May 2018. Preterm babies <7 days of age were included and investigated with complete blood counts (CBC) and other investigations, accordingly. Results. Out of 4919 preterms, 3852 (78.3%) were admitted to a newborn intensive care unit, and of these, 68.3% had a CBC performed. The mean values of hemoglobin, white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts were 17.9 mg/dL; 12 685 cells/mm3, and 159 340 cells/mm3, respectively. Early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) 1433 (37%), asphyxia 266 (6.9%), and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) 1738 (45.3%) were common reasons for admission. The WBC count was <5000 cells/mm3 for 8.8%, 9.0%, and 11.1% of neonates with EONS, asphyxia and RDS, respectively. The hemoglobin value was <7 mg/dL for 0.6%, 1.7%, and 0.4% of preterm infants with EONS, asphyxia, and RDS, respectively. The platelet count was <50 000 cells/mm3 for 16.8%, 17.7%, and 19.8% of preterms admitted with a diagnosis of EONS, asphyxia, and RDS, respectively. Conclusion. WBC and platelet counts were the most common to be associated with EONS, asphyxia, and RDS. Further study is recommended to determine the effect of abnormal hematologic profile on the outcome of preterm babies.

Highlights

Various hematological parameters such as the hemo globin (HGB) level, white blood cell (WBC) count, and platelet count are diagnostic tools commonly used to evaluate preterm neonates
Hematologic profiles of neonates can be affected by many factors such as complications of prematurity, infection, postnatal fluid shifts, late clamping of the umbilical cord, sampling sites, type of delivery, and the timing of the sample collection
A total of 4919 preterm infants were recruited into the study from July, 2016 to May, 2018

Summary

Introduction

Various hematological parameters such as the hemo globin (HGB) level, white blood cell (WBC) count, and platelet count are diagnostic tools commonly used to evaluate preterm neonates. These tests are avail able as rapid screening tests and are reported to have good sensitivity and negative predictive values.[1,2]. Hematological parameters are the first to be affected in perinatal asphyxia, often within the first hour of delivery, even before other systemic changes occur. The aim of this study is to determine the hematologic profile of preterm neonates with respect to sepsis, asphyxia and respiratory distress syndrome

Materials and Methods

Ethical Considerations

Results

Discussion