UTILITY OF HEMATOLOGICAL SCORING SYSTEM IN DIAGNOSIS OF NEONATAL SEPTICEMIA

Objectives: To evaluate the utility of the hematological parameters and HSS score for early detection of neonatal septicemia and to correlate results with blood culture reports and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

Material and Methods: Blood samples of 60 neonates with the clinical diagnosis of neonatal septicemia were collected. Peripheral smears of these neonates were evaluated and scored as hematological parameters of Rodwells criteria (score of < 2 – unlikely septicemia, 3 or 4- possible septicemia and > 5 very likely septicemia).A comparison of the HSS score, CRP value and blood culture report was done.

Statistical analysis: Data was entered in a Microsoft Excel spread sheet & analyzed using SPSS Software Version 16.

Result: Out of 60 caseswith the clinical diagnosis of neonatal septicemiastudied, HSS score of 15cases (25%) score 4, 28 cases (46.6%) scored 5 and 17(28.3%) cases had a score of 6. Sensitivity of the Immature Neutrophil Count andDegenerative changes was 100%. In 30 cases (50 % cases) blood culture report was positive. In neonates with positive blood culture reports had > 5 HSS score in 86 % of the cases and raised CRP in 80 % of the cases. In neonates with negative blood culture reports had > 5 HSS score in 63 % of cases and raised CRP in 80 % of cases.

Conclusion: HSS is a rapid, simple and reliable test that helps in early diagnosis and treatment of neonatal septicemia.