The Etiological Profile of Neonatal Thrombocytopenia in Neonates in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Neonatal thrombocytopenia is one of the most common clinical entities encountered in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); if not identified early, it can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to find out the etiological profile of neonatal thrombocytopenia in the NICU and to study the association between the etiology and onset of thrombocytopenia. Methods It was a single-center, cross-sectional, descriptive study of neonates having thrombocytopenia. The study was carried out in the NICU of the department of pediatrics in a tertiary care center over a period of one year. The study population included neonates admitted to the NICU having thrombocytopenia (platelet count: <150×10⁹/L). The demographic data such as name, sex, gestational age, age at the onset of thrombocytopenia, and birth weight was recorded. Data was collected based on laboratory investigations. Results Early-onset thrombocytopenia was present in 34% of neonates, and late onset was seen in (66%). A statistically significant result was found in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC); the p value was 0.02. The majority of neonates had late-onset sepsis (LOS) (57%). In both early-onset sepsis (EOS) and LOS, 36.84% each, the majority of neonates had moderate thrombocytopenia. Statistically significant results were found in respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC); the p value was 0.004 and 0.03, respectively. Conclusion Thrombocytopenia is a universal finding in neonates in the NICU, and it is an important prognostic marker of various disease conditions in neonates. Thus, the timely recognition and management of thrombocytopenia is essential to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality.