Study of correlation between thrombocytopenia and fungal sepsis in neonates

Abstract

Background: Thrombocytopenia is used as an early marker of sepsis in neonate. Fungal sepsis is associated with greater degree of thrombocytopenia than is seen with either gram positive or gram negative organisms.Aims and Objectives: To study the correlation of thrombocytopenia in neonatal fungal sepsis.Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2018 in the NICU of D.Y. Patil medical college and hospital, Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Out of 131 blood cultures sent, 49 neonates with culture positive were included and grouped into fungal and bacterial sepsis as per the growth of organisms. Blood cultures were done on Automated BacT/Alert 3 D Rapid Bacterial Culture System, Biomerieux, France in Microbiology Laboratory. Platelet count was measured by automated cell counter and on peripheral smear by Pathologist. Thrombocytopenia was defined as platelet count less than 150000/mm3. The data was analysed using Chi Square test.Results: 33 (67%) and 16 (33%) cultures were positive for bacterial and fungal sepsis respectively. There were 20(60.6%) males and 13(39.4%) females in bacterial sepsis as compared to 9(56.25%) males and 7(43.75%) females in fungal sepsis group. Preterm babies outnumbered full term babies. The commonest organisms isolated from bacterial sepsis group was Klebsiella 13(39.39%) and Candida albicans 15(93.75%) from fungal sepsis. Thrombocytopenia was present in 14(87.5%) fungal as compared to 05(15.15%) bacterial sepsis group which was statistically significant. (P