Mean platelet volume and red blood cell distribution width is associated with prognosis in premature neonates with sepsis

Objective - To evaluate the prognostic value of the mean platelet volume (MPV) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in sepsis among premature neonates. Methods - This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit between May 2015 and May 2020. Premature neonates with late-onset sepsis were enrolled. The demographic data, blood cell count analysis, C-reactive protein, and blood culture were compared between survivors and non-survivors. Results - A total of 73 premature neonates with sepsis in the survivor group and 10 cases in the non-survivor group. Significant differences were observed between the survivor and non-survivor groups with regard to birth weight, MPV, and RDW (P < 0.05). The results of binomial stepwise logistic regression suggested that MPV (OR = 3.226, P = 0.017 < 0.05) and RDW (OR = 2.058, P = 0.019 < 0.05) were independent predictor for prognosis in preterm with sepsis. A receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the areas under the curves were 0.738 for MPV alone, 0.768 for RDW alone, and 0.854 for MPV combined with RDW. Conclusion - MPV and RDW were independent predictors of prognosis and the combination of the two helps in predicting the prognosis of preterm with late-onset sepsis in the early stage.