Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics (Jun 2022)
Hematological Abnormalities in Culture Positive Neonatal Sepsis
Abstract
Tiruneh Adane,1 Minichil Worku,2 Abiye Tigabu,2 Melak Aynalem1 1Department of Hematology and Immunohematology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Tiruneh Adane, Department of Hematology and Immunohematology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, PO Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia, Tel +251 949914917, Email [email protected]: In neonatal sepsis, anemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and a shortened coagulation time are the most common hematologic abnormalities. However, there is inadequate information regarding the hematological abnormalities in neonatal sepsis. Thus, we aimed to determine the magnitude of hematological abnormalities in neonatal sepsis.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that included 143 neonates with culture proven sepsis aged 1– 28 days from September 2020 to November 2021 at the University of Gondar Specialized Referral Hospital. The sociodemographic data was collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, and the clinical and laboratory data was collected using a data collection sheet. A total of 2 mL of venous blood was taken using a vacutainer collection device for the complete blood count (CBC) and blood culture analysis. A univariate and multivariate logistic regression model was used to investigate factors associated with hematological abnormalities in neonatal sepsis. Statistical significance was declared when a p-value was less than 0.05.Results: The prevalence of anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leucopenia in neonatal sepsis was 49% (95% CI: 40.89– 57.06), 44.7% (95% CI: 36.8– 52.9), and 26.6% (95% CI: 22.01– 29.40), respectively. On the other hand, leukocytosis and thrombocytosis were found in 7.7% (95% CI: 4.35– 13.25) and 11.9% (95% CI: 7.56– 18.21), respectively. Being female (AOR: 3.3; 95% CI: 1.20– 3.82) and being aged less than 7 days (AOR: 2.44; 95% CI: 1.6– 6.9) were found to be significant predictors of anemia.Conclusion: The magnitude of anemia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia is high in neonatal sepsis. Furthermore, being female and being younger than 7 days were risk factors for anemia. Thus, the diagnosis and treatment of anemia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia prevents further complications in neonatal sepsis.Keywords: anemia, hematological abnormalities, neonatal sepsis, Gondar, Ethiopia
