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[Globular sedimentation rate as an index of infection in the newborn]
Insights
The study found that the velocity of sedimentation (VSG) is higher in infected preterm infants than in healthy ones. This method can aid in diagnosing infections in newborns.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Clinical Pathology
Context:
- Preterm infants are vulnerable to infections.
- Gastroenteritis, bronchopneumonia, meningitis, and septicemia are common infections in neonates.
- Early diagnosis of infection is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose:
- To investigate the velocity of sedimentation (VSG) in healthy and infected preterm infants.
- To evaluate the utility of the microhematocrit technique for diagnosing infections in this population.
Summary:
- The velocity of sedimentation (VSG) was measured using the microhematocrit technique in 40 healthy and 52 infected preterm infants.
- VSG increased with age in healthy infants, from 1.29 mm/hr at 3 days to 9.39 mm/hr at 1 month.
- Infected infants exhibited higher average VSG compared to healthy infants across all measured days, with septicemia cases showing a distinct rise and fall pattern correlating with recovery.
Impact:
- The findings suggest that VSG measurement is a valuable tool for aiding in the diagnosis of infections in preterm newborns.
- This non-invasive method can assist clinicians in identifying and managing neonatal infections more effectively.
Abstract:
Sedimentation (VSG) rate was studied following the microhematocrit technique in 40 healthy and in 52 infected preterm infants complaining of gastroenteritis, bronchopneumonia, meningitis and septicemia. In healthy infants, VSG was measured at 3, 6, 9, 15, 20, 25 and 30 days of age and in infected cases, it was measured in the course of disease or during recovery. Increment of VSG was shown in healthy cases from 1.29 mm/1 hour at the age of 3 days up to 9.39 mm/1 hour at one month of age. In infected newborns, average VSG was higher than in healthy infants in every one of the days measured. In 8 of the infants with septicemia, VSG showed a marked rise followed by drop as the patients improved. At the end, comments are made on the usefulness of the method as and aid in the diagnosis of infection in preterm newborns.