Abstract
Background and aims: An elevated peripheral leukocyte count has been associated with increased risk of neurological disability in asphyxiated term neonates. We aimed to examine the alternations in routine haematological indices in infants with severe asphyxia.
Methods: 70 infants referred to the tertiary referral centre of Semmelweis University Budapest Ist Dept of Pediatrics with asphyxial encephalopathy and were randomized to either normothermia or hypothermia. Their serial full blood count parameters, clinical outcome and Bayleys assessments were evaluated.
Results: There were 51 survivors and 19 nonsurvivors in this cohort. 60 infants received hypothermia therapy and the remainder were kept normothermic. There was a significant difference in the white cell count (WCC) in the first 8 hours of life between survivors and non-survivors (23+/-; 9 v 31+/-;11, respectively; p value=0.012). In addition the associated neutrophils were altered (Survivors:72+/-;12 v non-survivors:55+/-;5%). However CRP was not significantly different. Here was no correlation between Bayley score and initial WCC in surviving infants.
Conclusions: Altered inflammatory markers may indicate infants at higher risk of death. Further exploration of early inflammatory markers may be useful in early decisions about the use of hypothermia.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lakatos, P., Molloy, E., Kardasi, J. et al. 597 Elevated Leukocyte Count Predicts Mortality in Infants with Neonatal Encephalopathy. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 306 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00597
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00597
