Role of Thrombopoietin and Plasma Erythropoietin in Neonatal Sepsis

Abstract

Neonatal sepsis is one of the major causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality.Tpo and Epo are thought to be affected during the course of neonatal sepsis.

Thrombopoietin levels are regulated by thrombopoietin receptors on platelets and megakaryocytes thus circulating thrombopoietin levels are inversely correlated with platelet and or megakaryocytic masses (chang et al, 1996) and as neonatal sepsis affects the three blood elements through impaired production and/or increased destruction, production of these hematopoietic growth factors (Tpo and Epo) are affected.

Erythropoietin enhances the rate of formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow and several lines of evidences suggest that it also affects thrombopoiesis and platelet function (Ishibashi et al, 1987).

The aim of this study was to evaluate serum Tpo and Epo levels as markers for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and the role of rhuEpo in improving the outcome in septicemic neonates

Patients included m our search work were classified into two groups.