The interpretation of platelet indices (platelet count, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width) as additional diagnostic tool for neonatal sepsis

This study aims to determine whether platelet indices (PI) (platelet count, mean platelet volume [MPV], and platelet distribution width [PDW]) are an additional diagnostic tool for neonatal sepsis (NS). This observational and cross-sectional study was done between April 2020 and April 2021 at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial Medical College Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. Neonates with sepsis-like apnea, abdominal distension, refusal of feed, increased pre-feed aspirates, tachycardia, hypothermia, chest retractions, lethargy, and grunting; neonates with sepsis screen positive and/or culture positive; and neonates born to mothers with sepsis risk factors were included in the study. After proper aseptic condition, the venous blood sample was collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) vial and sent to the pathology laboratory for further analysis of complete blood count (CBC) absolute neutrophil count (ANC), total leukocyte count (TLC), C-reactive protein, platelet frequency, MPV, and PDW. The data were analyzed using SPSS v26.0. A total of 60 babies were enrolled, of which 30 neonates with sepsis were categorized as group “cases” (n = 30), and those (n = 30) neonates without sepsis were classified as group “controls.” Platelet count (low), MPV, and PDW (high) were found to be significant predictors of NS (P < 0.05). This study reports that the frequently employed PI (MPV, platelet count, and PDW) are significant predictors of the incidence of NS in NICU settings. There was no significant change in PI in prematurity and low birth weight neonates. These platelet indicators may be used as markers to detect the incidence of NS in low-resource settings.