ABSTRACT
Background: Thrombocytopenia is a frequent problem in neonatal sepsis and is among the most predic?ve, independent risk factors for sepsis-associated mortality. The present study was undertaken to correlate neonatal sepsis and thrombocytopenia in terms of severity, clinical course, organism specificity and outcome. Method: Total 384 neonates age <28 days with sepsis and thrombocytopenia were studied and analyzed with their clinical profile, symptoms, lab findings and outcomes. Results: Male babies (55.86%), age <72 hrs (80.35%), preterm (68.70%) and LBW babies (85.58%) were more prone to sepsis. Maternal fever (67.44%), foul smelling liquor (53.79%) and PROM >18 hrs (66.74%) make babies more prone to neonatal sepsis. The Commonest clinical features were not accepting feed (69.95%), lethargy (67.85%) and breathing difficulty (79.04%). Early onset sepsis (82.54%) and probable sepsis (40.26%) were more common and associated with preterm and LBW babies. Leucocytosis was seen in 64.57%, thrombocytopenia moderate degree 45.67% and severe degree 34.65%, MPV >12 69.11%, ANC <1800 47.50%, micro ESR >15 mm 72.16% and CRP posi?vity 28.60%. Severe degree thrombocytopenia (<50000) was more common with PROM >18 hrs (83.02%), maternal fever (83.09%) and gram-nega?ve organism(61.29%). Leucopenia (<4000) was more common with maternal fever (75.79%), proven sepsis (43.16%) and gram-nega?ve organism (70.31%). Severe degree thrombocytopenia (61.29%), leucopenia (70.31%) and mortality (64.51%) were more commonly associated with gram-nega?ve organism. Outcome was bad with severe degree of thrombocytopenia (62.32%), leucopenia (73.91%), and gram-nega?ve organism (64.51%). Conclusion: Proper antenatal mother care, hygiene and early evalua?on for illness can prevent early onset of sepsis in neonates. Severity of degree of thrombocytopenia directly propor?onal to the worst outcome.