European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Introduction: Even before the culture reports are obtained, hematological alterations in sepsis can help in the early diagnosis of sepsis. One of the most common issues with neonatal sepsis is thrombocytopenia, which is also one of the most reliable independent risk factors for sepsis-related mortality. The purpose of the current study was to figure out the incidence of thrombocytopenia in newborn sepsis and to assess if it might be used as a screening test for the condition. Materials and methods: The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at a tertiary care hospital hosted this hospital-based prospective observational cross sectional study from July 2022 to December 2022. In total, 220 neonates who were hospitalized to the NICU with suspected sepsis before turning 28 days old were included in the study. Results:  A total of 220 newborns with clinical sepsis were admitted during the research period. There included 73 (33.18%) female neonates and 147 (66.82%) male neonates. In 56 (25.4%) patients, the blood culture proved positive. The most prevalent Gram positive and Gram negative organisms were Kleibsella species 13 (23.21%) and coagulase negative Staphylococci (CONS) 23 (41.07%). 101 births (45.91%) by caesarean section and 119 (54.09%) by normal vaginal delivery were recorded. 43 neonates (19.55%) had low birth weights, while 177 had normal birth weights (>2.5 kg). SGA made up 33 (15%), AGA made up 183 (83.18%), while LGA made up 4 (1.82%). Preterm births made up 42 (19.09%), term births made up 168 (76.36%), while postterm births made up 10 (4.55%) cases. CRP was positive in 123 instances (55.91%) and negative in 97 cases (44.09%). Among the total cases, 89 (40. 45%) had thrombocytopenia, in which mild was 53 (24.09%), moderate was 28 (12.73%), severe was 8 (3.64%). Thrombocytopenia was significantly associated with Blood culture positivity, LSCS, SGA and CRP positivity. (P<0.05) Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia acts as an early predictor of neonatal sepsis and also the outcome of the neonates. Platelet counts and clinical correlation can be used in conjunction to detect early sepsis and administer prompt, effective care