Clinical Profile of Neonatal Thrombocytopenia in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal thrombocytopenia, defined as a platelet count <150×10⁹/L, is a common hematological disorder that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality in neonates, especially in severe cases. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical profile of neonatal thrombocytopenia and identify its associated causes in a tertiary care setting. Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted over one year (January 2021 to December 2021) in the NICU of Dhaka Shishu Hospital and Central International Medical College. A total of 96 neonates with thrombocytopenia were included after excluding four due to early discharge. Data on demographics, perinatal factors, and clinical conditions were collected, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21. Results: Of the 96 neonates, 61% were male. The mean age was 2.24 ± 0.707 days, and the mean birth weight was 2222.76 ± 628.281 grams. Poor feeding, respiratory distress, and abnormal neonatal reflexes were common in neonates with platelet counts below 100,000. Sepsis was significantly associated with thrombocytopenia, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were higher in neonates with lower platelet counts. Preterm low birth weight (LBW) and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) were the most frequent diagnoses among thrombocytopenic neonates. Conclusion: Neonatal thrombocytopenia is closely associated with conditions such as sepsis, prematurity, and respiratory complications. Early identification and timely intervention are crucial for improving outcomes. Further studies with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-ups are needed to explore the long-term effects of neonatal thrombocytopenia.