Assessment of Micro-R/Macro-R values and other hemogram parameters for the diagnosis of early neonatal sepsis

Aims: Neonatal sepsis is a systemic condition that results in hemodynamic and clinical findings. We aimed to determine the role of hemogram parameters in the diagnosis of early neonatal sepsis. 
Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted with 126 neonates hospitalized in Kastamonu Training and Research Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between March 2018 to March 2022. There were 65 term neonates diagnosed with early neonatal sepsis in the patient group. In the control group, there were 61 term neonates who underwent hemogram within the first 72 hours (postnatal period) due to physiological jaundice and did not receive any antibiotic treatment. The assessment was made by comparing the hemogram parameters of these groups. 
Results: The Macro-R value, white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, monocyte count, immature erythrocyte count and percentage, immature granulocyte count and percentage and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio were found to be significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (p<0.05). Macro R, white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, immature erythrocyte count and percentage, immature granulocyte count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio had high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of early neonatal sepsis. 
Conclusion: We think that these simple and easily accessible parameters have potential value in the diagnosis of ENS if they are used together with the clinical symptoms of ENS.