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Association of BPD and IVH with early neutrophil and white counts in VLBW neonates with gestational age <32 weeks

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate associations between early low neutrophil count from routine blood samples, white blood count (WBC), pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes for very low birth weight infants (VLBW 1500 g) with gestational age <32 weeks.

Study Design:

Information was abstracted on all infants admitted to level III neonatal intensive care units in Wisconsin 2003 to 2004. A total of 1002 VLBW neonates (78%) had differential and corrected total white counts within 2 ½ h of birth. Data analyses included frequency tables, binary logistic, ordinal logistic and ordinary regression.

Result:

Low neutrophil count (<1000 per μl) was strongly associated with low WBC, pregnancy complications and antenatal steroids. Low neutrophil count predicted bronchopulmonary dysplasia severity level (odds ratio, OR: 1.7, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.1 to 2.7) and intraventricular hemorrhage grade (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.3 to 3.8).

Conclusion:

Early neutrophil counts may have multiple causes interfering with their routine use as an inflammatory marker. Nonetheless, low neutrophil count has consistent independent associations with outcomes.

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Correspondence to M Palta.

Additional information

Source of funding: 5 RO1 HL38149-17 ‘Risk Factors in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia’

The Newborn Lung Project involved the following investigators and project and center coordinators:

Coordinating Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin: Dr Mari Palta, Principal Investigator, Dr Mona Sadek-Badawi, Project Director, Aggie Albanese, Kathleen Madden, Lisa Loder, and Tanya Watson;

Dr Christopher Green, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin;

Dr David Carlton and Karin Smylie (University of Wisconsin, Madison, Meriter Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin);

Dr Jeffrey Garland, Roberta Einsiedel, Kathy Weaver and Jackie Sevallius (St Joseph′s Regional Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin);

Dr Chandra Shivpuri, Susan Plachinski, and Karen Dorfler (Sinai Samaritan Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin);

Dr James Opitz, Sandy Freeman, MaryAnne Lach, and Angie Linneman (St Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, Wisconsin);

Dr Marie Weinstein and Laura Ziebarth (St Mary′s Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin);

Dr Paul Meyers, Denise Turnmeyer, and Pamela Verhagen (Children′s Hospital of Fox Valley, Neenah, Wisconsin);

Dr Joseph Brand and Lana Reinke (St Vincent Hospital, Green Bay, Wisconsin);

Dr John Wolf, Jane Friday and Joan Hintz (Columbia - St Mary′s Hospital, Milwaukee, Wisconsin);

Dr Nancy Herrell and Sharon Nelson (Waukesha Memorial Hospital, Waukesha, Wisconsin);

Dr P Sasidharan (Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin);

Dr Gregory Milleville, Melissa Grooms and Carolyn Kraly (Aurora Women′s Pavilion, West Allis, Wisconsin);

Dr David.Sheftel, Michelle Stampa, Monica DaPra, Sandy Anderson and Diane Fiebig (St Luke's Hospital, Racine, Wisconsin);

Dr Jeffrey Thompson, Shawn Dunlap (Gunderson Lutheran Hospital - La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin);

Dr Dennis Costakos, Karen Smith and Lynn Dahlen (Franciscan Skemp Hospital, La Crosse, Wisconsin);

Dr Howard Kidd, Nicole Stephani and Tracy Heiman (St Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton, Wisconsin);

Dr Frank Mattia and Patti Davis (Aurora BayCare, Green Bay, Wisconsin);

Dr Lee A. Muscovitz and Deborah Peters (St Mary's Hospital, Duluth, Minnesota).

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Palta, M., Sadek-Badawi, M. & Carlton, D. Association of BPD and IVH with early neutrophil and white counts in VLBW neonates with gestational age <32 weeks. J Perinatol 28, 604–610 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.65

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.65

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