FREQUENCY OF NEUTROPENIA IN NEONATES PRESENTING WITH NEONATAL SEPSIS

Abstract

Background:
Neonatal sepsis remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among neonates worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Due to the immature immune system and reduced neutrophil reserves, affected neonates are highly susceptible to infections. Neutropenia, a common hematological abnormality in neonatal sepsis, is often associated with increased disease severity and prolonged hospital stay. Understanding its frequency and relationship with gestational age may assist in early diagnosis and better management outcomes.

Objective:
To determine the frequency of neutropenia among neonates presenting with neonatal sepsis at a tertiary care hospital.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Avicenna Medical College and Hospital, Lahore, over six months from 01 February 2023 to 31 July 2023. A total of 147 neonates aged 1–28 days diagnosed with neonatal sepsis were included through non-probability consecutive sampling. Demographic and clinical data were recorded, and laboratory investigations including complete blood count were performed. Neutropenia was defined as a total leukocyte count of less than 4000/µL. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0, with results expressed as mean ± SD and percentages. Stratification and chi-square tests were applied, considering a p-value ≤0.05 as statistically significant.

Results:
Among 147 neonates, 88 (59.9%) were male and 59 (40.1%) were female, with a mean age of 14.6 ± 6.2 days. The overall frequency of neutropenia was 55.8% (n=82). Neutropenia was more prevalent among preterm neonates (70.7%) compared to term neonates (46.1%), whereas gender differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion:
Neutropenia was found in more than half of neonates with sepsis, particularly in preterm infants, indicating a strong association between hematologic immaturity and infection risk. Routine hematologic monitoring in septic neonates can aid in early recognition, timely management, and improved clinical outcomes.