PREDICTION OF NEONATAL SEPSIS BY THROMBOELASTOGRAPHY

The thromboelastogram (TEG) measures functional defects in coagulation , from fibrin formation through platelet aggregation to fibrinolysis. It is comparable with standard laboratory tests of coagulation; howeve r, it provides additional useful qualitative information. This prospec tive study documents the TEG findings in 103 neonates: 60 were normal and healthy and provided a reference range; 12 surgical babies had est ablished sepsis, 15 had early sepsis, and 16 were non-septic. TEG abno rmalities were detected only in those patients with early and establis hed sepsis. Abnormalities were found in all but 1 of this group of 27 patients (96%), whereas only 16 (59%) had thrombocytopenia, 2 (6%) had leukocytosis, and 6 had leukopenia. The TEG had a sensitivity for sep sis of 96% and a specificity of 96%. This exceeds the values for routi ne full blood-count parameters and other laboratory indicators of seps is. It was found to be a simple, quick, and sensitive indicator of ear ly sepsis that enabled the clinicians to manage septic newborns earlie r.