Which lab test helps assess the risk of infection in neonates?

The complete blood count (CBC) is an essential diagnostic tool that helps assess the risk of infection in neonates. A CBC provides crucial information about the components of blood, including white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin levels, and platelet counts. In the context of infection, one of the key indicators assessed in a CBC is the WBC count. An elevated WBC count, particularly the count of neutrophils, can indicate an ongoing infection or an inflammatory response within the body.

Moreover, immature neutrophils (known as “left shift”) may also be present during infections, suggesting that the body is actively fighting an infection. This information is vital for clinicians to make timely decisions regarding the need for further diagnostic testing or the initiation of antibiotic therapy in neonates, who are particularly vulnerable to infections.

Although C-reactive protein (CRP) can be a useful marker for inflammation and may indicate the presence of infection, it is not specific to infection risk alone and may be elevated in other inflammatory conditions as well. Bacterial cultures are the definitive method for diagnosing an actual infection but do not serve as a risk assessment tool prior to identifying an active infection. Blood glucose levels are important for monitoring metabolic status but do not provide information