Background: in developing countries, sepsis represents the 3rd cause of neonatal mortality. Procalcitonin and MPV have been studied widely as markers for neonatal sepsis.
Objective: evaluation of the value of platelet volume parameters compared to procalcitonin as early biomarkers of neonatal sepsis.
Patients and Methodology: a prospective case-control study on 80 newborn infants admitted to the university neonatal intensive care unit, Sayed Galal University Hospital, between September and December 2020. Studied neonates have been divided equally into; sepsis, and control groups. Cases were suspected based on clinical presentation, risk factors, and hematological scoring system (≥3); and further subdivided into group A: with proven sepsis, and group B: with clinical sepsis. Serum procalcitonin, CRP, blood cultures, and CBC were performed within the 1st 36 hours of life.
Results: MPV was higher in both sepsis (p < 0.0001), and culture-proven sepsis groups (p=0.00057). Other platelet parameters showed no significant difference among sepsis and control groups. Procalcitonin level was higher in both sepsis (p < 0.00001), and culture-proven sepsis groups (p < 0.00001). MPV of ≥ 9.54 fL, and PCT of ≥ 0.157 ng/mL cutoff points showed sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of (92.5%, 87.5%, 88.1%, 92.1%) respectively for MPV, and (95%, 65%, 73.1%, 92.9%) respectively for PCT. MPV showed also positive correlation in sepsis group (p= 0.02089, 0.03134) with PCT and CRP respectively.
Conclusion: MPV and PCT showed close sensitivities, while MPV septicity was even higher. MPV may be considered as a sensitive, affordable, and reliable marker for neonatal sepsis.