Morton SU, Brettin K, Feldman HA, Leeman KT. Association of nucleated red blood cell count with mortality among neonatal intensive care unit patients.
Pediatr Neonatol 2020;
61:592-597. [PMID:
32771363 DOI:
10.1016/j.pedneo.2020.07.009]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs) are associated with adverse outcomes for pediatric and adult intensive care patients.
METHODS
The association between nRBC count and mortality was examined in an observational cohort of patients admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit from December 2015-December 2018.
RESULTS
Among the 1059 patients with at least one nRBC count obtained, 45 infants (4.2%) experienced in-hospital mortality prior to NICU discharge, the primary outcome measured in this study. Infants with any nRBC count >0 had a significantly higher risk of mortality (5.3% [45/849] vs. 0% [0/351], p < 0.001 by Fisher exact), and time to mortality decreased with higher nRBC counts (Spearman correlation -0.59, p < 0.001). The association between nRBC count and mortality remained significant even when restricting only to infants who were older than 7 days at time of nRBC count.
CONCLUSION
Among neonatal intensive care unit patients, including those >7 days old, nRBCs are associated with significantly elevated mortality risk. A prospective study to better characterize clinical co-variants is necessary to better establish the use of nRBCs as a predictor of mortality.
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