Role of hematological scoring system in diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

Background: Neonatal sepsis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the newborn, more so in the developing countries. The incidence of neonatal sepsis has been reported to be 30/1000 live births according to National Neonatal Perinatal Database. Objectives: To analyze the diagnostic utility of hematological scoring system (HSS) and its correlation with C-reactive protein and blood culture in neonatal sepsis. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 150 neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with clinical suspicion of neonatal sepsis from November 2012 to April 2014, considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: HSS had the highest sensitivity (93.7%) and identified >90% of neonates with clinical suspicion of sepsis. Furthermore, total leukocyte count showed high specificity but least sensitivity, immature to total ratio and immature to mature ratio showed high specificity and high sensitivity, and platelet count showed high negative predictive value and least positive predictive value. Conclusion: HSS is a simple, easy, cheap, and rapid adjunct for the diagnosis of clinically suspected cases of neonatal sepsis.