Prognostic significance of early platelet count decline in preterm newborns

OBJECTIVES: Decline of platelets with or without thrombocytopenia is observed in critically ill preterm newborns. Prognostic significance of platelets count in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit focused on outcome after thrombocytopenia. We aimed to estimate the changes in platelets count within the first 7 days of life in preterm newborns and its relation to final outcomes. METHODS: Retrospectively, the platelets count during the first 7 days of life, and its association with mortality, length of stay among survivors (LOS), and later severe morbidities were determined. Appropriate regression analyses were used to examine possible relations between studied variables. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Platelets drop that did not reach thrombocytopenia level in the first 7 days of life happened in 61.7%. Platelets count drop in the first 7 days of life was a predictor of mortality, LOS, and major morbidities such as intraventricular hemorrhage and necrotizing enterocolitis. CONCLUSIONS: Platelets count drop within the first 7 days of life independent of thrombocytopenia can be used to predict increased mortality, LOS, and the development of later severe morbidities in critically ill preterm neonates.