Hematological Profile in COVID-19 Infection Among Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Tamil Nadu, South India

Introduction A wide range of hematological abnormalities has been observed in SARS-CoV-2 infection which is directly related to the disease progression, clinical severity, and mortality among affected individuals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the abnormalities in hematological parameters among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected patients in a tertiary care hospital in south India. Methods This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the pathology department of Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India from 1(st) May 2021 to 30(th) June 2021. The hematological reports including complete blood count (CBC), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), serum ferritin, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and D-dimer levels of all the blood samples from COVID-19 positive patients were retrieved from the laboratory records. The Leishman-stained peripheral smear findings were also tabulated and analyzed. Results Out of 65 patients, 38 (58.5 %) were males and 27 (41.5%) were females with a majority (78.4%) of them being more than 40 years of age. The salient hematological abnormalities were leukopenia (21.5%), elevated NLR (43%), and thrombocytopenia (6.2%). Peripheral smear showed schistocytes (15.4%), neutrophils with ring nuclei (84.6%), and toxic granules (81.5%). A statistically significant association between elevated NLR and serum CRP was seen among male patients. The association between the presence of schistocytes with serum LDH and D-dimer levels was statistically insignificant. Conclusions The significant hematological abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 infection were elevated NLR, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated D-dimer levels. Careful evaluation of the hematological parameters will help in categorizing the high-risk cases and thereby initiating early intervention and appropriate intensive care management. This will bring down the morbidity and mortality among COVID-19 patients.