An Ethiopian study recently published in BMC Pediatrics found that survival outcomes of newborns affected by thrombocytopenia can be significantly affected by a number of identifiable factors.
Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a significant cause of thrombocytopenia among infants.
Given the role of platelets helping stop wounds from continuously bleeding, thrombocytopenia is a serious condition among newborns because it can lead to significant internal bleeding that may not be immediately obvious. One of the ways to treat thrombocytopenia is to transfuse the child with platelets, but this approach can only be taken if the problem is diagnosed in the first place.
A team of investigators in Ethiopia conducted a study at three specialized hospitals to gather data regarding survival status and outcomes among newborns with thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia for the purpose of this study was defined as a platelet count of under 150 x 109/L. The study period was from August 2022 to March 2023.
The research team followed up on 278 newborns with thrombocytopenia throughout the study period. 22.7% of the children had a history of requiring resuscitation. 21.9% patients died during the course of this study, and the median time to death was 22 days.
Read more about FNAIT testing and diagnosis
In a detailed analysis of possible factors that contributed to mortality, researchers identified initial clinical condition after birth (as measured by the APGAR score at the fifth minute of life), late-onset thrombocytopenia (more than 72 hours after birth) and being diagnosed with a concurrent condition known as necrotizing enterocolitis, a gastrointestinal disease typically seen in premature children or those with a very low birth weight. Other factors included being of the male sex, having a low birth weight and having frequent episodes of thrombocytopenia.
“In conclusion, thrombocytopenia in the [neonatal intensive care unit] is a significant concern, especially among sick neonates,” the authors of the study wrote. “Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these associations and develop effective interventions to improve outcomes.”
Sign up here to get the latest news, perspectives, and information about FNAIT sent directly to your inbox. Registration is free and only takes a minute.
