Clinical values of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, red blood cell distribution width and mean platelet volume in neonatal pulmonary infections

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the predictive effects of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), and mean platelet volume (MPV) on the severity of neonatal pulmonary infections.

Methodology: This is a retrospective design. Ninety childrens with pulmonary infection who received treatment in Mianzhu People’s Hospital from March 2023 to September 2024 were randomly selected as the subjects, and were divided into mild, moderate, and severe groups according to the different degrees of pulmonary infection, while 50 healthy newborns were selected as controls. The levels of NLR, PLR, RDW, and MPV were measured, and correlation analyses were conducted.

Results: NLR, PLR and RDW levels were the highest in the severe group, and the MPV level was the lowest (P < 0.05). Serum NLR, PLR, and RDW levels all showed a significant positive correlation with the neonatal critical illness score (NCIS) and oxygenation index (OI) (P < 0.05) and a significant negative correlation with the respiratory index (RI) (P < 0.05); the serum MPV level showed a significant negative correlation with the NCIS and OI (P < 0.05) and a significant positive correlation with the RI (P < 0.05). The area under the curve was 0.710 for NLR, 0.713 for PLR, 0.714 for RDW, and 0.725 for MPV.

Conclusion: NLR, PLR, RDW, and MPV can evaluate the condition of neonatal pulmonary infection and provide a reference basis for clinicians to understand the severity of the condition and rational treatment of children, which has high clinical application value.