Hematological parameters after one week of life among premature neonates

Background: Hematological parameters can reflect potential morbidity in premature neonates. Complete blood count (CBC) is a common laboratory examination in neonatal wards, including hematological parameters. Changes may occur during the neonatal period due to gestational age (GA)-related physiological mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to examine CBC in premature neonates at birth and in the first week of life. Methods: This prospective study was performed in the neonatal ward of a general hospital in Bandung, Indonesia. A total of 53 premature neonates, including 31 males and 22 females, classified as G1 (with 28-31 weeks of gestation) and G2 (with 32-34 weeks of gestation), were examined for CBC. The sequential blood samples of both cord blood at birth and peripheral venous blood in the first week of life (i.e., days 2-7) were drawn. The obtained data were analyzed based on the GA at birth and in the first week of life. The CBC at birth and in the first week of life were also compared. Results: At birth, younger premature neonates (i.e., G1 group) showed lower platelet counts, compared to the older ones (i.e., G2 group). In the first week of life, the G1 group showed significantly lower platelet counts and eosinophil counts, compared to the G2 group. Both groups demonstrated a significant decrease in hemoglobin, leukocytes, basophils, and neutrophils, but increased platelet counts in the first week of life. Conclusion: Younger premature neonates indicated lower hematological parameters at birth and in the first week of life. All the premature neonates showed a significant reduction in most hematological parameters in the first week of life.