Introduction: Neonatal sepsis has always been a significant health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. Since it is a treatable condition, it has to be diagnosed at the earliest to initiate treatment and to avoid abuse of antibiotics. Objectives: To study the various changes associated with platelets in neonatal sepsis, and to check the diagnostic value of these markers in the early diagnosis of sepsis in neonates. Study and Design: This is a crosssectional analytical study. Methods: This is a study on the evaluation of platelet count and platelet indices viz, Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) and Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) in neonatal sepsis on blood obtained from neonates with a clinical suspicion of sepsis. A total of 100 cases were included for the study. The platelet count and platelet indices were obtained using automated haematology analyser. Leishman stained smears were studied for platelet count and morphology and correlated with blood culture results. Results: PDW showed sensitivity and specificity of 82% and 73 % respectively. MPV showed sensitivity and specificity of 76% and 40 % respectively. Thrombocytopenia showed sensitivity and specificity of 64% and 82 % respectively. Conclusion: Platelet Distribution Width was the most sensitive marker (82%). Thrombocytopenia was the most specific marker (82%). Owing to the diagnostic confusion that usually surrounds Neonatal Sepsis due to the myriad of clinical features it presents, platelet studies could be used as easily accessible and inexpensive tools for the early detection and treatment of this condition.

Keywords: Platelet Indices; Thrombocytopenia; Neonatal Sepsis.