Thrombocytopenia: Diagnostic Tool of Neonatal Infection?

Abstract

Objective: To research the occurrence of thrombocytopenia in the newborn and to establish the connection of thrombocytopenia with risk factors. Materials and methods: The study encompassed 136 newborn, to whom thrombocytopenia diagnosis was confirmed in laboratory test, and who were treated at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Clinic for Children’s Diseases at the University Clinical Hospital in Mostar (SKB) in Mostar. Results: Out of the total number of 1164 newborn who were treated at the NICU during a two-year period, 2013/2014, at the University Clinical Hospital in Mostar, 136 (11.7%) newborn had thrombocytopenia. Risk factors from mother’s side that affected development of thrombocytopenia were medications 53.7%, cigarettes consumption 56.6% and complications at delivery 34.6%. Placental insufficiency occurred in 32.4% newborn. Out of the total number of the newborn with thrombocytopenia, 38.2% suffered from some kind of infection (sepsis, urinary system infection, bacteraemia...), which is one of the main risk factors for development of thrombocytopenia on the side of the newborn. The most frequently isolated cause was Escherichia coli, which was isolated in 19.9% examinees. Conclusion: This study shows that the most important risk factors for development of thrombocytopenia in the newborn at the NICU are the risk factors on the side of the mother.