Evaluation of diagnostic value of nucleated red blood cell count in the early neonatal sepsis

Abstract

Objective 1. To Evaluate diagnostic value of Nucleated Red blood cell count in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. 2. To compare and correlate raised Nrbcs with blood culture in diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Material and Method: A prospective study was conducted from January2017 to January 2019, in a Tertiary care private Hospital of 120 neonatses neonates with predisposing perinatal risk factors or if there was clinical suspicion of sepsis. Peripheral Blood smears were examined for haematological parameters along with NRBCS count. The data collected was statistically analyzed, to find out the performance of the test individually and in comparison to gold standard that is blood culture under the following parameters. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. Results: Presence of Nrbcs in peripheral smears of culture positive sepsis noted in 82.14% cases. Sensitivity of Nrbcs is 78.57%. Specificity is 89.13%, Positive predictive value 68.75%, Negative predictive value 93.18%. Conclusion: Nrbcs is a single, quick, cost-effective and readily available, feasible tool with good sensitivity and specificity in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. It gives comparable results to blood culture and can be done even in small hospitals and in peripheral setups, allowing prompt treatment of infected neonates and thereby reducing morbidity and mortality.