Frequency and Severity of Thrombocytopenia in Neonatal Sepsis at Bacha Khan Medical Complex/Gajju Khan Medical College, Sawabi

Abstract

This cross-sectional study investigates the prevalence and implications of thrombocytopenia in 333 neonates diagnosed with sepsis at Bacha Khan Medical Complex/Gajju Khan Medical College, Sawabi. The mean age of participants was 6.31 days, with a mean birth weight of 2.44 kg. The study found that 53.2% of the neonates exhibited severe thrombocytopenia (<50,000/uL), while 24.6% had moderate and 12.3% mild thrombocytopenia. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between thrombocytopenia and respiratory distress (p=0.019) and seizures (p=0.000), indicating that these conditions are more prevalent in neonates with lower platelet counts. In contrast, no significant associations were found with pregnancy term, gender, poor feeding, fever, lethargy, or poor capillary refill. The findings underscore the critical need for vigilant monitoring of respiratory and neurological symptoms in neonates with thrombocytopenia, as these may indicate underlying complications related to sepsis. The study highlights a concerning prevalence of severe thrombocytopenia in neonates with sepsis, suggesting a potential link to respiratory and neurological complications. These findings warrant further investigation into the mechanisms underlying these associations and their implications for clinical management.

Keywords: thrombocytopenia, neonatal sepsis, septicemia