Neonatal Sepsis: The Frequency of Thrombocytopenia

Abstract

Farrukh Addil22661, Ayesha Rehman22662, Shehzad Najeeb22663*, Hina Imtiaz22664 and Saira Khan22665

Aim: To determine the frequency of thrombocytopenia in neonatal sepsis.

Materials and methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in Neonatology unit, Ayub Teaching hospital Abbottabad on 119 participants. Children of both genders having less than one month age, positive blood culture and birth weight of 1-4 Kg were included in the study. Infants with birth asphyxia, blood transfusion, premature birth, maternal history of placental insufficiency, and familial bleeding disorders were excluded. Age, gender and thrombocytopenia were recorded. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Frequency of thrombocytopenia was stratified by age groups, gender, and weight to see effect modifiers using chi-square test at 5% level of significance.

Results: The mean age was 9.87 ± 7.68 days and mean weight was 2.11 ± 1.14 Kg. The frequency of thrombocytopenia was 82 (68.9%). The males (n=71, 59.7%) were more than female (n=48, 40.3%). The most common weight category was < 2Kg (n=60, 50.4%). Most of ages was in range of 7-30 days (n=64, 53.8%). The most common bacteria involved in neonatal sepsis were Staph. aureus present in 26(21.85%) followed by E. coli found in 22(18.49%) and Klebseilla Pneumonae found in 16(13.45%). Thrombocytopenia has no statistically significant association with age, weight and gender of the neonates (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The frequency of thrombocytopenia in neonatal sepsis is quiet higher so the clinicians while attending neonatal sepsis should be vigilant in prompt diagnosis and management of thrombocytopenia to avoid serious complications.