The Relationship To Increase The Value Of The Red Cell Distribution Width With Neonatal Sepsis In The Neonatology Unit H. Adam Malik Medan Hospital

The Relationship Between Red Cell Distribution Width and Neonatal Sepsis in the Neonatology Unit of H. Adam Malik Hospital Medan

Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) examination is a crucial component in complete blood analysis, widely used as a parameter to identify various causes of anemia. Previous studies in adult populations have shown that the RDW value can function as a significant prognostic indicator in patients with critical illness, including sepsis. However, the application of RDW as a predictor of sepsis events in neonates is still a relatively unexplored area. This study aims to explore the relationship between increasing RDW value and sepsis events in neonates in the Neonatology unit of H. Adam Malik Hospital Medan.

RDW examination is a measure of the variation in the size of red blood cells, with a higher value indicating a greater variation. In adults, RDW has been shown to be a useful prognostic indicator in patients with critical illness, including sepsis. However, the use of RDW as a predictor of sepsis events in neonates is still a relatively unexplored area. Neonatal sepsis is a serious health problem that can be fatal if not treated quickly. Early diagnosis and management of neonatal sepsis are crucial to prevent morbidity and mortality.

The main purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a relationship between an increase in RDW value and the sepsis incident in neonates. By understanding this relationship, it is expected to contribute to a better diagnosis and management of neonatal sepsis.

This study uses analytic methods with a cross-sectional design, involving 46 neonates treated in the Neonatology unit of HAM Hospital in 2018. All subjects studied meet the specified inclusion criteria. Data on basic characteristics such as age, sex, gestation age, birth weight, hemoglobin levels (HB), and RDW values ​​are recorded from medical records. Furthermore, the relationship between data characteristics and RDW values ​​is analyzed using Pearson correlation. RDW is then categorized into two groups: normal (≤ 14.5%) and increased (> 14.5%). The relationship between increasing RDW value and sepsis events is assessed by the Chi-Square test.

In this study, the median age of the subject was 7 days, with 28 out of 46 patients (61%) male. The RDW median value obtained is 16.65% (ranging from 11.4% to 27.6%). The results of the analysis show that the RDW value is not related to age, gender, gestational age, birth weight, or hemoglobin levels (P> 0.05). In addition, no significant relationship was found between the RDW value and the events of neonatal sepsis (p = 0.146).

Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the RDW value is not related to the prediction of sepsis events in neonates. This finding shows that although RDW is often considered an important indicator in the context of critical diseases in adults, its use as a prediction tool for sepsis in neonates requires further research.

It is essential to note that neonatal sepsis is a serious health problem and can be fatal if not treated quickly. Although the RDW value does not show a significant relationship with sepsis in this study, this result does not ignore the importance of other factors that can contribute to the risk of sepsis. This includes underlying medical conditions, the environment, and the level of treatment given to neonates.

From a clinical point of view, the results of this study can help doctors and medical personnel in assessing the RDW value as a diagnostic tool. Although it cannot be used as a single benchmark, this result can be a reference for conducting more in-depth examinations and analysis of other risk factors that may be more relevant in neonatal sepsis predictions. Therefore, further research involving additional variables and more comprehensive design is needed to understand more about the role of RDW and other factors that affect the events of sepsis in neonates.

The results of this study have several implications for clinical practice and future research. Firstly, the RDW value should not be used as a single predictor of sepsis in neonates. Instead, it should be used as one of the many factors that contribute to the risk of sepsis. Secondly, further research is needed to explore the relationship between various hematological parameters and sepsis events in neonates. This includes the use of more comprehensive designs and the inclusion of additional variables that may be relevant in predicting sepsis.

This study has several limitations that should be acknowledged. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, which may have limited the power of the study to detect significant relationships. Secondly, the study only included neonates treated in the Neonatology unit of HAM Hospital, which may not be representative of all neonates with sepsis. Finally, the study only used RDW as a predictor of sepsis, which may not be the only relevant factor.

Future research should aim to explore the relationship between various hematological parameters and sepsis events in neonates. This includes the use of more comprehensive designs and the inclusion of additional variables that may be relevant in predicting sepsis. Additionally, further research is needed to understand the role of RDW and other factors that affect the events of sepsis in neonates.

In conclusion, this study found no significant relationship between the RDW value and the events of neonatal sepsis. This finding highlights the importance of using RDW as one of the many factors that contribute to the risk of sepsis in neonates. Further research is needed to explore the relationship between various hematological parameters and sepsis events in neonates, and to understand the role of RDW and other factors that affect the events of sepsis in neonates.
Q&A: Red Cell Distribution Width and Neonatal Sepsis

A: RDW is a measure of the variation in the size of red blood cells, with a higher value indicating a greater variation. It is an important component in complete blood analysis and is widely used as a parameter to identify various causes of anemia.

A: RDW has been shown to be a useful prognostic indicator in patients with critical illness, including sepsis. However, the use of RDW as a predictor of sepsis events in neonates is still a relatively unexplored area. Neonatal sepsis is a serious health problem that can be fatal if not treated quickly, and early diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent morbidity and mortality.

A: The study found that the RDW value is not related to the prediction of sepsis events in neonates. This finding highlights the importance of using RDW as one of the many factors that contribute to the risk of sepsis in neonates. Further research is needed to explore the relationship between various hematological parameters and sepsis events in neonates.

A: The results of this study can help doctors and medical personnel in assessing the RDW value as a diagnostic tool. Although it cannot be used as a single benchmark, this result can be a reference for conducting more in-depth examinations and analysis of other risk factors that may be more relevant in neonatal sepsis predictions.

A: Future research should aim to explore the relationship between various hematological parameters and sepsis events in neonates. This includes the use of more comprehensive designs and the inclusion of additional variables that may be relevant in predicting sepsis. Additionally, further research is needed to understand the role of RDW and other factors that affect the events of sepsis in neonates.

A: Further research in this area can lead to a better understanding of the relationship between various hematological parameters and sepsis events in neonates. This can ultimately lead to the development of more effective diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for neonatal sepsis.

A: Further research in this area may be challenging due to the complexity of the topic and the need for large sample sizes. Additionally, the study of neonatal sepsis is a sensitive topic, and researchers must be mindful of the potential risks and benefits of their research.

A: The results of this study can be applied in the real world by healthcare professionals who work with neonates. By understanding the relationship between RDW and sepsis events in neonates, healthcare professionals can develop more effective diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for neonatal sepsis.

A: The results of this study can have implications for public health by informing healthcare policies and guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal sepsis. By understanding the relationship between RDW and sepsis events in neonates, public health officials can develop more effective strategies for preventing and treating neonatal sepsis.