The predictive value of immature granulocyte count and immature myeloid information in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

BACKGROUND: To determine the predictive value of the immature granulocyte count and the immature myeloid information in neonatal early onset sepsis we examined 133 blood samples of patients admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS: Measurements were performed using the Sysmex XE-2100, an automated hematological analyzer. Patients were divided into two groups: 1) symptomatic neonates with diagnosis of early onset sepsis; and 2) controls including asymptomatic neonates who were admitted because of prematurity, low birth weight, or delayed postnatal transition. RESULTS: The number of immature granulocytes and the immature myeloid information were significantly elevated in neonates with early onset sepsis compared to controls (median 280/µL vs. 50/µL, p=0.049 and 639/µL vs. 89/µL, p<0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Automated determinations of immature granulocytes and immature myeloid information seem to be useful adjunctive methods in the diagnosis of neonatal early onset sepsis.