ABSTRACT
Background: Hypoxia can threaten the metabolic functions of different systems in immature neonates, particularly the central nervous system. The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has recently been reported as a prognostic factor in neurologic diseases. Herein, we examined the correlation between RDW and regional cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (rcSO2). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 110 preterm infants born at a gestational age (GA) of <32 weeks, or with a birth weight (BW) of <1,500â g at our institution between January and June 2,022. The rcSO2 was monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy, and RDW was extracted from the complete blood count during the first 14 days after birth. RDW and rcSO2 measurements were analyzed using a cross-sectional research method. Results: We divided the study population into two groups, with a mean rcSO2 value over the first 14 days. Fifty-three preterm had rcSO2 ≥ 55% and 57% < 55%. The 14-days-mean in the study population showing an association of lower rcSO2 values with higher RDW values. Significantly higher RDW values were observed in the low rcSO2 group compared with those in the high rcSO2 group. Threshold effect analysis showed that rcSO2 decreased with RDW values ≥18% (ß, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.04 and -0.02; p ≥ 0.0001). After adjusting for potential confounders, an RDW of ≥18% was determined as the predictive cutoff value for preterm infants with low rcSO2 (Model I: OR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.36-8.06; p = 0.009; and Model II: OR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.28-8.53; p = 0.013). Conclusions: An RDW of ≥18% in the first 14 days is associated with rcSO2 of <55% in preterm infants.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There have been few studies on the relationship between the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We conducted a retrospective case-control study to investigate this relationship in preterm neonates. METHODS: A total of 199 preterm neonates diagnosed with NEC between January 2018 and January 2020 were included in this study. For each preterm infant with NEC that was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), controls were preterm neonates (matched for gestation and year of birth) who were not diagnosed with NEC. Exclusion criteria were post-maturity, small or large for gestational age (week of pregnancy), congenital major anomalies, and cyanotic congenital heart disease. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the association between NLR and preterm NEC. RESULTS: This study included 93 preterm neonates with NEC and 106 matched controls. There were no significant differences in gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), age, sex, vaginal delivery (VD), chorioamnionitis (CA), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) between the groups. Compared with the control group, the lower and higher NLR levels in the NEC group were statistically different. Following univariate analysis, NLR was a risk factor for NEC (odds ratio [OR], 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.90; P = 0.042), and according to multivariate analysis, risk factors for NEC were NLR ≥ 3.20 and NLR < 1.60, within 1 week before NEC diagnosis. Thus, NLR values of ≥ 1.60 and < 3.20 were determined as the predictive cut-off values for protecting preterm infants from NEC (Model I: OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.10-0.40; P < 0.001) and (Model II: OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.00-0.40; P < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: NLR ≥ 1.60 and NLR < 3.20 were associated with a decreased risk of NEC in preterm infants.
