Does neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio have good diagnostic value in neonatal necrotizing colitis?

Objective: The diagnostic value of neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio in the early diagnosis of neonatal necrotizing colitis (NEC) was evaluated. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. From the 103 NEC cases, the preterm infants were randomly recruited into this study, including NEC I 41 cases, NEC II 34 cases, and NEC III 28 cases. The control group included 58 preterm infants without NEC. Routine clinical data and blood samples of all NEC patients were collected within 24 h after the established diagnosis of NEC. Besides comparing laboratory data (white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, pre-albumin and N/L ratio) between NEC and control groups, the sensitivity, specificity, and Youden index were also compared. Results: (1) Baseline data including gender, age of admission, and contamination of amniotic fluid showed no difference. But, laboratory data all have significant differences between NEC and control groups (including NEC subgroups analysis). (2) Except pre albumin (PA), there are not significant correlations between N/L ratio and PA, C-reactive protein (CRP) as well as white blood cell count (white blood cell (WBC) count) in NEC stage I. In contrast, good correlation could be found between N/L ratio and other indicators in NEC stage II and stage III. (3) N/L ratio has higher sensitivity, specificity and Youden index when compared with WBC count, CRP, and PA. Conclusion: N/L ratio has better continuity and could be good marker for the early diagnosis of NEC, and could distinguish the severity. However, large sample, multicenter studies are still needed.