Clinical features and haematological indices of bacterial infections in young infants.

The clinical features and haematologic indices of 100 young infants aged 3 months and below, admitted with suspected bacterial infections, were analysed. Fever, lethargy, hepatomegaly, poor feeding and irritability were the commonest features for suspecting a bacterial infection in these infants. However, the features significantly associated with bacterial infections were respiratory distress and cyanosis. Of the haematologic indices commonly associated with bacterial infections, only C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly predictive compared to leukocyte counts, absolute neutrophil counts and nitro-blue tetrazolium tests. When used in combination, a raised C-reactive protein with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate with abnormal leukocyte counts and a raised C-reactive protein with abnormal leukocyte counts were significantly associated with bacterial infections.