A study of hematological parameters in neontal sepsis

Introduction: Neonatal septicemia is major cause of morbidity and mortality in newborns, which requires early diagnosis and prompt treatment to reduce case fatality rate with help of various hematological parameters, till results of blood culture become available. Aims: The present study was undertaken to analyse the efficacy of various hematological parameters in comparison with blood culture in neonates presented with septicemia. Methods and Material: Blood samples were received in central diagnostic laboratory, Shree Krishna Hospital, Karamsad and processed in respective sectional laboratory. Efficacy of all the parameters were assessed by measuring sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV. Results: Out of 100 cases, culture positivity was seen in 76% of cases with male preponderance (59%). Toxic granulation (TG) was the most sensitive test (86.84%). The most specific test was TLC (91.66%). Conclusions: The hematologic parameters are simple and cost effective tests, reports of which are obtained within few hours which helps in early initiation of treatment.