Red Cell Distribution width as a Diagnostic Marker in Neonatal Sepsis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v75i6.8461Keywords:
Neonates, Neonatal Sepsis, Phlebotomy Red Cell Distribution WidthAbstract
Objectives: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of red cell distribution width in the detection of presence of sepsis in neonates.
Study Design: Cross-sectional validation study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatrics, Pak-Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jul 2021 to Feb 2022.
Methodology: A total of 77 neonates suffering from acute febrile illness were included for study. Neonates born premature, low birth-weight, with meconium aspiration, or suffered from iron deficiency or haemoglobinopathies were excluded. The diagnosis of sepsis was established clinically using the 2005 International Pediatric Sepsis Consensus Conference guidelines. All patients were tested for red cell distribution width index via a phlebotomy on admission.
Results: The mean age of patients in our study was 16.38±6.71 days, of whom 44(57.1%) were male. A total of 27(35.1%) of patients had a family history of febrile seizures. The mean red cell distribution width of the patients was 17.71±2.89% and of these, 37(48.1%) patients had a value above the 18.0% cut-off level. Sepsis was present in 41(53.2%) cases. Red cell distribution width with a cut-off of value of greater than 18.0% as an indicator of the presence of neonatal sepsis had a sensitivity of 58.4%, specificity of 63.9% and a diagnostic accuracy of 61.0%.
Conclusion: Red cell distribution width is a useful marker in the detection of the presence of sepsis, but lacks the appropriate diagnostic accuracy, precluding its use in isolation as a single marker for sepsis.
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