The Utility of Peripheral Blood Leucocyte Ratios as Biomarkers in Neonatal Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Predictive Role of NLR, dNLR, PLR, NLPR, and Other Laboratory Markers in Diagnosing SIRS in Premature Newborns

BACKGROUND

Premature newborns are at a significant risk for Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome SIRS, a condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive and diagnostic capability of laboratory markers like Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), derived Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (dNLR), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte-to-Platelet Ratio (NLPR) in diagnosing SIRS in premature newborns.

METHODS

Premature newborns with and without SIRS were evaluated in a prospective design during a one-year period. Among 136 newborns, early and 72 h post-birth analyses were performed.

RESULTS

At 24 h, NLR's cutoff value was 8.69, yielding sensitivity and specificity rates of 52.77% and 83.47% (p = 0.0429), respectively. The dNLR showed a cutoff of 5.61, with corresponding rates of 63.27% and 84.15% (p = 0.0011), PLR had a cutoff of 408.75, with rates of 51.89% and 80.22% (p = 0.1026), and NLPR displayed a cutoff of 0.24, with rates of 75.85% and 86.70% (p = 0.0002). At 72 h, notable sensitivity and specificity improvements were observed, particularly with NLPR having a cutoff of 0.17, showing sensitivity of 77.74% and specificity of 95.18% (p < 0.0001). NLR above the cutoff indicated a 33% increase in SIRS risk, with a hazard ratio (HR)of 1.33. The dNLR was associated with a twofold increase in risk (HR 2.04). NLPR demonstrated a significant, over threefold increase in SIRS risk (HR 3.56), underscoring its strong predictive and diagnostic value for SIRS development.

CONCLUSION

Integrating these findings into clinical practice could enhance neonatal care by facilitating the early identification and management of SIRS, potentially improving outcomes for this vulnerable population.

A meta-analysis on first-trimester blood count parameters-is the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio a potentially novel method for first-trimester preeclampsia screening?

Objective

Meta-analysis focusing on the role of first-trimester neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the prediction of preeclampsia.

Data sources

PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were queried from inception up to December 31, 2022.

Study eligibility criteria

The study included all types of original research that was conducted in humans and values of NLR were measured during the first trimester, among patients who later developed preeclampsia, compared to the values of control groups.

Study appraisal and synthesis methods

Two reviewers independently performed data abstraction and quality appraisal, and disagreements were resolved by consensus and, if necessary, by the opinion of a third reviewer. During the analysis, PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines were followed. All statistical analyses were made with R.

Results

For the research on the predictive role of NLR values in the first trimester for preeclampsia, a total of 6 studies were selected for analysis, covering 2,469 patients. The meta-analysis revealed a 95% confidence interval (CI) for the effect size of 0.641 to 1.523, with a prediction interval of 0.027 to 2.137.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis, NLR is a promising biochemical marker for future pieces of research that try to find new screening methods for first-trimester preeclampsia. We encourage other researchers to examine NLR's predictive value combined with other markers in preeclampsia screening, this way being able to find new and affordable protocols for first-trimester preeclampsia screening.

Systematic review registration

identifier CRD42023392663.

Predicting Potentially Fatal COVID-19 Disease in Pregnant Patients Using the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR)

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) values' possible predictive role in fatal and severe cases of COVID-19 disease in pregnant women. Design and data collection: A case-control study was conducted with the inclusion of 45 pregnant COVID-19 patients. All the data were obtained from the hospital information system of Semmelweis University by two of the authors.

RESULTS

Statistical analyses showed that NLR values were significantly higher in patients with fatal COVID-19 compared to those who survived the disease, with or without mechanical ventilation. The study also assessed whether NLR values measured on the first day of hospitalization or at their peak provided better markers of disease severity. While both the first-day and peak NLR values were evaluated in patients who did not survive the disease, only the peak NLR values had predictive value regarding patient death.

CONCLUSION

Based on our results, the peak NLR values appear to be useful markers of COVID-19 severity, with a cut-off value of 18.05. However, the authors suggest and hope that larger sample size studies will be conducted to further validate the findings of their research.

[Prognostic utility of inflammatory indexes in critically ill newborns]

Background

Critically ill newborns (NB) are susceptible to serious complications due to their immature immune system.

Objective

To know the prognostic utility of inflammatory indexes in critically ill NBs.

Material and methods

Observational, analytical, longitudinal, prospective study. We included NBs hospitalized, critically ill and non-critically ill, who had a complete blood count at 12 hours of life (initial) and within 24 hours prior to discharge due to improvement or death (final). Systemic immune-inflammatory Index (SII), Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Platelets/Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) were analyzed. There was follow-up from birth to discharge.

Results

211 patients of 33 (32-34) weeks of gestation, weight 1.569 (1.480-1.720) kg. 106 critical NB and 105 non-critical NB, with 50 deaths in the former group, were analyzed. The final NLR ≥ 1.38 (sensitivity [S] 58%, specificity [Sp] 58%, AUC 0.60 [p 0.006]) identified critically ill NBs compared to non-critical ill NBs; final NLR ≥ 1.84 (S 71%, Sp 71%, AUC 0.79 [p < 0.0001]) identified critically ill NBs who died compared to all those who survived; final SII ≥ 255.411 x 103 (S 55%, Sp 56%, AUC 0.60 [p 0.047]) and final NLR ≥ 1.75 (S 76%, Sp 76%, AUC 0.84 [p < 0.0001]) identified critical NBs who died from those who survived.

Conclusion

The final NLR predicts which NBs may perish with respect to all who survive. The final NLR and SII predict among critically ill NBs who may die.