Evaluation of the Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in the prediction of systemic infection in normal newborns in Lubumbashi: Cross-sectional study.

Abstract Background and Purpose: Despite progress in the surveillance of newborns in hospitals around the world in general and the country in particular, systemic infection remains a major concern. The purpose of this study to assess the ability of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) to predict systemic infection in newborns in clinics in Lubumbashi.Methods: Cross-sectional and analytical study that included 430 normal newborns in 25 medical facilities in the city of Lubumbashi, chosen in a simple random manner during the period from November 2015 to December 2017. The clinical and biological characteristics of newborns were studied. Results: out of 430 children who performed a complete blood count, 106 had an NLR> 3, a frequency of systemic infection of 24.7%. The mean values ​​of neutrophils, lymphocytes, esosinophils, basophils monocytes were significantly higher in patients with an NLR> 3. Mean RNL values ​​were 2.5 ± 1.2, it was 1.9 ± 0.6 in children with NLR≤3, and 4.3 ± 1.2 in those with RNL> 3. The area under the curve (AUC) for NLR, Neutrophil, Lymphocyte and Platelet were 0.887, respectively; 0.738, 0.639 and 0.552. NLR is more sensitive and specific in predicting systemic infection compared to neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet count.Conclusion: The results show that NLR is an effective indicator in the diagnosis of systemic infection than neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet count.