Neonatal Thrombocytopenia and the Role of the Platelet Mass Index in Platelet Transfusion in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Background: Neonatal thrombocytopenia is a common hematologicalabnormality that occurs in 20–35% of all newborns in the neonatalintensive care unit. Platelet transfusion is the only known treatment;however, it is the critical point to identify neonates who are really atrisk of bleeding and benefit from platelet transfusion as it also hasvarious potential harmful effects.Aims: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of neonatalthrombocytopenia and its relationship to intraventricular hemorrhagein the neonatal intensive care unit and to determine whether the useof platelet mass index-based criteria could reduce the rate of platelettransfusion.Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.Methods: This study was conducted in the neonatal intensive careunit of a tertiary university hospital. The medical records of neonatesin the neonatal intensive care unit with platelet counts