Platelet Mass Predicts Intracranial Hemorrhage in Neonates With Gram-negative Sepsis

Contemporary Trends in Global Mortality of Sepsis Among Young Infants Less Than 90 Days: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

Current knowledge on the global burden of infant sepsis is limited to population-level data. We aimed to summarize global case fatality rates (CFRs) of young infants with sepsis, stratified by gross national income (GNI) status and patient-level risk factors.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on CFRs among young infants < 90 days with sepsis. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Central, Embase, and Web of Science for studies published between January 2010 and September 2019. We obtained pooled CFRs estimates using the random effects model. We performed a univariate analysis at patient-level and a meta-regression to study the associations of gestational age, birth weight, onset of sepsis, GNI, age group and culture-proven sepsis with CFRs.

Results

The search yielded 6314 publications, of which 240 studies (N = 437,796 patients) from 77 countries were included. Of 240 studies, 99 were conducted in high-income countries, 44 in upper-middle-income countries, 82 in lower-middle-income countries, 6 in low-income countries and 9 in multiple income-level countries. Overall pooled CFR was 18% (95% CI, 17-19%). The CFR was highest for low-income countries [25% (95% CI, 7-43%)], followed by lower-middle [25% (95% CI, 7-43%)], upper-middle [21% (95% CI, 18-24%)] and lowest for high-income countries [12% (95% CI, 11-13%)]. Factors associated with high CFRs included prematurity, low birth weight, age less than 28 days, early onset sepsis, hospital acquired infections and sepsis in middle- and low-income countries. Study setting in middle-income countries was an independent predictor of high CFRs. We found a widening disparity in CFRs between countries of different GNI over time.

Conclusion

Young infant sepsis remains a major global health challenge. The widening disparity in young infant sepsis CFRs between GNI groups underscore the need to channel greater resources especially to the lower income regions.

Systematic Review Registration

[www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero], identifier [CRD42020164321].

Platelet count and indices as postpartum hemorrhage risk factors: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Severe postpartum hemorrhage (SPPH) is the leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Platelet anomalies frequently occur during pregnancy. However, their role in the etiology of SPPH is largely unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To study the relation between platelet parameters and SPPH.

METHODS

This retrospective single-center cohort included deliveries between 2009 and 2017. SPPH was defined as ≥1000 ml blood loss within 24 h after delivery. Platelet parameters were measured within 72 h before delivery. Multiple imputation was performed for missing data. Odds ratios were adjusted (aORs) for maternal age, multiple gestation, macrosomia, induction of labor, preeclampsia, and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome.

RESULTS

A total of 23 205 deliveries were included. Of the 2402 (10.4%) women with thrombocytopenia (<150 × 109 /L), 10.3% developed SPPH, compared with 7.6% of women with a normal platelet count (aOR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.14-1.59). Women with a platelet count of <50 × 109 /L were most at risk (aOR of 2.24 [1.01-4.94]) compared with the reference group with normal platelet counts; the aOR was 1.22 (0.77-1.93) for the 50-99 × 109 /L platelet count group and 1.31 (1.10-1.56) for the 100-149 × 109 /L platelet count group. Plateletcrit was associated with SPPH (aOR 1.15 [1.08-1.21] per 0.05% decrease), and, although rarely present, a platelet distribution width (PDW) ≥23% (n = 22) also increased the odds of SPPH (aOR 6.05 [2.29-16.20]).

CONCLUSION

Different degrees of thrombocytopenia were independently associated with the occurrence of SPPH. Despite their relation to SPPH, plateletcrit and a PDW of ≥23% have limited additional value in addition to platelet count.

Can immature platelet fraction be an early predictor for congenital pneumonia?

Aim:

Timely diagnosis and treatment of congenital pneumonia are crucial. A new hematologic parameter, immature platelet fraction, has been used to gather clinical information on the prognosis of thrombocytopenia, as well as to measure inflammatory activity in adult patients. This study aimed to compare immature platelet fraction and sepsis biomarkers in late-preterm infants diagnosed as having congenital pneumonia and to evaluate its predictive value for congenital pneumonia.

Material and Methods:

Late-preterms were categorized based on infectious vs. non-infectious etiology of respiratory distress. Two sets of blood samples for markers were taken at 12–24 (sample-1) and 48–72 hours (sample-2) after birth. Immature platelet fraction was measured using a Sysmex XN-3000 analyzer.

Results:

From a total of 30 non-thrombocytopenic late-preterms, 16 were included in the congenital pneumonia group and 14 comprised the transient tachypnea group. The groups were comparable in terms of gestational age, birth weight, and cesarean section rate. The proportion of prolonged membrane rupture was significantly higher in the congenital pneumonia group. Values of immature platelet fraction-1, immature platelet fraction-2, and procalcitonin-2 were significantly higher in the congenital pneumonia group than in the transient tachypnea group. No significant differences were found between the groups in other biomarkers. It was determined that an immature platelet fraction-1 cut-off value of 2.9% could predict congenital pneumonia with a sensitivity of 65%, a specificity of 71.4%, a positive predictive value of 70.5%, and negative predictive value of 63.7% (area under the curve=0.724; p=0.028).

Conclusion:

Immature platelet fraction may have an early predictive role in the diagnosis of congenital pneumonia.

Platelet indices in neonatal sepsis: A review

Thrombocytopenia is a common hematological abnormality in neonates with sepsis. The autoanalyzers now-a-days readily provide platelet indices along with platelet counts without any additional cost. However these indices are not given proper weightage often. The important platelet indices available for clinical utility include mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width and plateletcrit that are related to morphology and proliferation kinetics of platelets. Studies in adult patients reported their role in the diagnosis of severe sepsis and prognosis of adverse clinical outcomes including mortality. Abnormal MPV can aid diagnosing the cause of thrombocytopenia. Low MPV associated with thrombocytopenia has been found to result in clinical bleeding. Other indices, however, are less studied. The studies addressing the importance of these platelet indices in neonatal sepsis are limited. The current review gives an overview of potential utility of important platelet indices in neonatal sepsis.