Diagnostic efficacy of Nucleated Red blood cell count in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

Objective: To determine the efficacy of Nucleated Red blood cell count in the Early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Material and Methods: Cross sectional diagnostic study conducted over a period of 1 year from Oct 2013 to Sept 2014, which included 60 neonates with clinical suspicious of sepsis at birth and within 72 hours or had maternal history of infection. The cord blood was collected immediately after delivery for NRBCs count under peripheral smear. Statistical analysis was performed and Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value was calculated. Result: NRBCs count was higher in all sepsis cases. Sensitivity of NRBc for detecting proven sepsis was 35%, its specificity 53.48%, its positive predictive value was 23.07% and its negative predictive value was 67.64%. Conclusion: It is a simple and cost effective test in early diagnosis of early neonatal sepsis. It will help the clinicians in early diagnosis and treatment whenever applicable, thereby reducing the neonatal morbidity and mortality.