الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Background: Neonatal sepsis remains a challenge for neonatal care providers. Aim: This work was aiming to measure red cell distribution width percent (RDW %) as a marker for neonatal sepsis and to correlate it with other indicators and with a simple clinical scoring system for neonatal sepsis (Griffin score). Methods: This case control study was carried out at neonatal intensive care unit at Fayoum University Hospital. Ethical Research Committee Approval and written consents were obtained from parents of the neonates 30 neonatal sepsis cases and 30 normal controls. Neonates were subjected to: History taking, clinical examination for manifestations of sepsis. Complete blood count, differential leucocytic count, C- reactive protein, Blood culture, Random blood sugar, and determination of RDW % were done to all neonates. Results: Our study showed that the mean RDW % was higher among cases than controls (16.4 ± 3.8 and 13.7± 1.6 respectively) (P = 0.001), with further increase in preterm neonates. Also, there was a significant negative correlation (P=0.007) between RDW level and age of neonate, and that RDW increases when RBS increased (p=0.05), but there was a statistically significant positive correlation (p=0.001) between RDW and Griffin score. However, there was insignificant difference between RDW and WBCs or I/T ratio. Morever, blood culture was positive in 63.3% of cases only. Also, CRP was high in 76.7% of cases and 30% of controls (P=0.01). Conclusion: RDW % can serve as a marker and prognostic indicator in neonatal sepsis especially when used together with Griffin score. Key words: |